Webber sets the tempo

As soon as the first free practice session opens, the drivers attack the Interlagos track for the traditional installation lap before returning directly to the pits to analyze their data. Under a threatening sky, however, the competitors did not take long to leave. The two pilots Toro Rosso are thus the first to set a first time. Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) sets a time of 1:20.385 before his teammate Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) signed a 1:15.347 then a more significant 1:14.689.

After a first quarter of an hour of observation, several drivers set off on the Paulista circuit. Barrichello (Brawn GP), Raïkkönen (Ferrari), Webber (Red Bull), Kovalainen (McLaren), Heidfeld (BMW) and Hamilton (McLaren) enter the track. The Ferrari driver quickly improves the best time to 1:14.021 before Mark Webber then Lewis Hamilton does not go below the mark of minute fourteen (1:13.631). Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), finally, signed a 1:12.932 full of authority before a downpour fell on the track forcing the drivers to return to the pits. The German then leads a group of drivers made up of Barrichello, Hamilton, Webber and Button.

After long minutes of waiting for the track to dry out, the drivers returned to the track with half an hour remaining. However, they had barely set off when a red flag was waved following a slightly wide exit from Romain Grosjean (Renault). The Frenchman hits a polystyrene panel causing no damage on his car but leaving the track full of debris.

While rain is expected for the second free practice session, the drivers are taking advantage of a once again clear track to continue their program. Less than a quarter of an hour from the end of the session, Mark Webber dislodged his teammate from the top of the timesheet (1:12.805). At this moment, however, Sebastien Buemi damaged his right rear axle in turn 8 and caused a yellow flag.

In the final moments of the session, Webber improved his best time in quick succession to 1:12.776 then to 1:12.463 while Barrichello climbed to second place (1:12.900) in front of his home crowd. Jenson Button, the world championship leader, moved up to seventh position on his final timed lap. The second free practice session is scheduled for 19 p.m.