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Vettel sets pace with Hamilton close behind
Source: Agencies |
September 22, 2012, Saturday
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RED Bull driver Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in yesterday's opening practice session for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix.
The world champion was only five hundredths of a second faster than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who sat out the final quarter hour of the session due to a minor technical issue.
Vettel won in Singapore last season but has won only a single race this season, whereas Hamilton has won the two most recent races and looms as the greatest threat to championship leader Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton's teammate, Jenson Button, was third fastest as McLaren gave an early indication it can handle the twisty layout of Marina Bay.
Ferrari's Alonso was fourth fastest? though a second off the pace? on a track where he has twice won, while Pastor Maldonado of Williams was fifth and Mark Webber of Red Bull sixth.
The session began with the cars on intermediate tires due to a damp Marina Bay track after a thunderstorm, but slick tires were soon applied.
The Force India pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta finished seventh and eighth fastest respectively, while Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Sauber's Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10.
It was an incident-free session, but busy in pit lane as team's tried to quickly discover how to get the best out of new wings and parts which are required given the big shift in racing styles between Monza and Marina Bay.
Mercedes has the biggest upgrade this weekend, using a new exhaust system which directs air onto the rear wing and rear diffuser to aid down force and traction. Michael Schumacher was in 14th and Nico Rosberg 18th, indicating the team has yet to maximize the new setting.
The world champion was only five hundredths of a second faster than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who sat out the final quarter hour of the session due to a minor technical issue.
Vettel won in Singapore last season but has won only a single race this season, whereas Hamilton has won the two most recent races and looms as the greatest threat to championship leader Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton's teammate, Jenson Button, was third fastest as McLaren gave an early indication it can handle the twisty layout of Marina Bay.
Ferrari's Alonso was fourth fastest? though a second off the pace? on a track where he has twice won, while Pastor Maldonado of Williams was fifth and Mark Webber of Red Bull sixth.
The session began with the cars on intermediate tires due to a damp Marina Bay track after a thunderstorm, but slick tires were soon applied.
The Force India pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta finished seventh and eighth fastest respectively, while Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Sauber's Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10.
It was an incident-free session, but busy in pit lane as team's tried to quickly discover how to get the best out of new wings and parts which are required given the big shift in racing styles between Monza and Marina Bay.
Mercedes has the biggest upgrade this weekend, using a new exhaust system which directs air onto the rear wing and rear diffuser to aid down force and traction. Michael Schumacher was in 14th and Nico Rosberg 18th, indicating the team has yet to maximize the new setting.
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