Free 1: Sebastian Vettel sets immediate pace at India

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel has set the immediate pace at the Buddh International Circuit, in preparation for this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix. The German driver enjoyed a late surge in pace, and was followed by the McLaren of Jenson Button and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

In traditional Friday morning practice fashion, several reserve drivers once again replaced their respective team-mates to gain valuable track time, including Friday regulars Valtteri Bottas [Williams] and Giedo van der Garde [Caterham]. However, one further driver change occurred only moments before the start of the session, with Sergio Perez being replaced by Sauber reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez, with the former unfortunately too ill with a bad cold to partake in the opening session.

The opening session of the weekend began in rather hazy conditions at the Buddh International Circuit, with all the drivers completing only installation laps in the opening thirty minutes. This saw very little action out on track, until the Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez finally set the first timed lap with a 01:46.071. After the Mexican driver crossed the line, many more drivers finally left the confines of the pit lane to set their own individual flying laps, including the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

The 2008 World Champion of Lewis Hamilton quickly replaced Gutierrez at the top of the timing sheets, before the Williams of Pastor Maldonado rose to the top with a 01:34.740. The times quickly began to tumble at the top, as Jenson Button and Pastor Maldonado swapped fastest times, with the 2009 World Champion eventually cementing his reign with a 01:32.349, which he was quick to improve upon with a 01:31.141.

Jenson Button continued to assert his authority over proceedings at the front as the session continued, with the McLaren driver setting a 01:29.684 as the majority of the field gradually began to set their first timed laps. Nico Rosberg went 2nd fastest behind the Briton, with the likes of Grosjean, Hulkenberg and even Bottas momentarily sharing 3rd place. However, Button’s reign at the top was brought to an end with only forty minutes to go, when the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher shot to the top with a 01:29.598.

However, Mercedes power quickly gave way to the ever-dominant Renault power of the Red Bull duo, as Mark Webber went fastest with a 01:28.963 with team-mate Sebastian Vettel a close 2nd. Fernando Alonso then split the Red Bull duo by going 2nd fastest, however Webber remained at the front setting another fastest time with a 01:28.229.

Esteban Gutierrez nearly ended his first official practice session in Formula 1 in the barriers, as the Mexican driver ran wide through turn 9 and nearly spun into the retaining barriers. Luckily for the 21-year-old and Sauber, he was able to regain control of his car and rejoin the circuit. Whilst Gutierrez struggled towards the bottom of the timing sheets, Championship contender Fernando Alonso stormed to the top of the timing sheers with a 01:28.210, before Lewis Hamilton almost instantly displaced his former McLaren team-mate.

However, Sebastian Vettel quickly asserted his authority over proceedings as the session entered its closing stages, with a 01:28.036. Although the reigning World Champion was not quick through the first sector, he still managed to gain time as the lap progressed. The German’s reign at the top was emphasized shortly after with an ever quicker 01:27.619, as Charles Pic ran marginally wide at turn 10 and 11 as the rookie got to grips with the Buddh International Circuit.

Sebastian Vettel remained unchallenged at the top of the timing sheets as the session drew to a close, with his late surge greatly benefiting his preparations for the weekend ahead. After dominating last season’s inaugural Indian Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver looks set to once again be a force to be reckoned with throughout this weekend. Vettel was followed home by the McLaren of Jenson Button in 2nd and fellow Championship contender Fernando Alonso in 3rd.

The Formula 1 grid will take a few hours break, before eventually returning to the Buddh International Circuit later in the day for the second practice session in preparation for this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix. This session will see the return of Heikki Kovalainen at Caterham and Bruno Senna at Williams.

Follow me on Twitter - @AndyYoungF1