FP1: Webber sets the pace ahead of Räikkönen

Red Bull Racing is once again at the forefront at the end of the first free practice session for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Mark Webber was the fastest of the session, completing a lap in 1'36"935, just six hundredths ahead of Kimi Räikkönen, the first winner of the season last weekend in Melbourne. The Lotus driver lost another half hour of practice in the pits due to an SREC problem but nevertheless quickly showed himself in the game when leaving his garage. Sebastian Vettel follows the Finn a tenth behind the second RB9.

Fernando Alonso finished in fourth place, almost four tenths behind the reference time. Nico Rosberg completed the top five more than six tenths ahead of Adrian Sutil, Felipe Massa and Paul di Resta eight tenths behind. Lewis Hamilton only finished in ninth position after reporting very strong degradation with his tires. Romain Grosjean completed the top ten by being the last driver less than a second behind Mark Webber. The Frenchman is ahead of McLaren by Jenson Button, the Woking team still seeming behind with the 13th place of Sergio Pérez who follows Pastor Maldonado.

Sauber drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez are the first by more than two seconds while Valtteri Bottas finished in 16th place. Jean-Eric Vergne was ahead of his teammate by almost three tenths Daniel Ricciardo. Giedo van der Garde places a Caterham in front of Jules Bianchi's Marussia by securing the 20th fastest time.

The second free practice session for the Malaysian Grand Prix will be contested from 14 p.m. (7 a.m. French time).