Vettel dominates first day of practice at Suzuka

The Red Bull Racing Team had a good day at the office, dominating Friday’s practice at Suzuka.

Winner of last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel showed he knows his way around Suzuka very well and set the pace in both sessions.

He ended the day with a best time of 1’31’’465 and demonstrated an interesting pace in race trim. Driving the other RB6, Mark Webber set the 2nd fastest time, albeit three tenths down on his teammate.

Robert Kubica ended the day with the third fastest time. Ferrari’s Alonso was fourth and still within a second of Vettel. His teammate Massa completed the top five. Reigning World Champion Jenson Button set the sixth fastest time, 1.068s down on the leading Red Bull.

Petrov, Schumacher, Sutil and Hulkenberg rounded off the top ten.

Lewis Hamilton lost valuable dry track as he waited patiently for his mechanics to repair his damaged MP4-25 (following a crash halfway through the morning session). He eventually joined the track with less than ten minutes left and managed to complete eight laps to set the 13th fastest time, two second down on Vettel.

Rubens Barrichello missed the final run with a suspected engine problem.

The tricky Suzuka circuit caught out a handful of drivers in the afternoon session.

Buemi span his Toro Rosso while Yamamoto went wide at the Spoon Curve. Michael Schumacher went wide at Degner, Robert Kubica had a big moment at the top of the esses. All of them were able to rejoin the track without any apparent damage.