Mark Webber dominates Friday practice in Malaysia – Formula 1 Update
The second practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix was yet again dominated by the Red Bull driver Mark Webber. The Australian was quick throughout Friday morning and set the pace during both sessions today.
Webber clocked a lightning fast lap of one minute 36.876 seconds, heading the time sheets.
After a disappointing start to the 2011 Formula 1 season, this was exactly what Webber desired. The Australian driver was outpaced by team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the inaugural Australian Grand Prix, but bounced back with a superb start to the second race
of the season.
Although Vettel was no way near his team-mate in the first practice session, the young German did a terrific job in the second stint. He was unable to beat Webber, but finished fourth fastest overall. This was a huge improvement for the reigning champion,
as he managed only the 17th fastest lap time in practice one.
Apart from Red Bull, McLaren were the team which displayed a tremendous amount of speed during the Friday practice. Jenson Button, who clocked the 15th fastest time in P1, was the only driver who came close to Webber’s fastest time. His team-mate
Lewis Hamilton was also quick, as he set the third fastest time of P2. Both British drivers will look to continue their form in the qualifiers on Saturday 9 April.
Although the outcome of the first race suggested that only Red Bull and McLaren will be the pace setters in the 2011 season, one man proved this wrong. Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher had a very productive day today, as he was fifth fastest in P2. The
veteran driver lapped good times consistently today, as he was third fastest in P1 behind Webber and Hamilton.
Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Rosberg was unable to deliver today. He improved on his performance from the first session, where he was tenth fastest, clocking the seventh quickest time in P2.
The biggest disappointment of the day was Ferrari, as the Italian team was unable to match the front-runners. Felipe Massa had a better day compared to Fernando Alonso. They ended up sixth and ninth respectively in both practice sessions today. Toro Rosso’s
driver Jaime Alguersuari completed the top ten in P2.
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