Australian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel fastest as Red Bull dominate practice

Australian Mark Webber completed an emphatic one-two for the champion Red Bull team as main title rivals Ferrari and McLaren struggled.

Ferrari8217;s Fernando Alonso 8211; edged out by Vettel in last year8217;s championship 8211; finished 0.840 secs behind the fastest lap,while last season8217;s Melbourne winner Jenson Button was well down in 11th place in his McLaren.

McLaren8217;s Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the team was 8220;struggling to understand8221; their new car and were lacking grip.

Coupled with Webber8217;s speed in the team8217;s other car,Red Bull has the upper hand ahead of tomorrow8217;s qualifying for grid positions in the season opener.

Lewis Hamilton,driving for Mercedes,clocked the seventh best lap time of 1:26.772 before he ran off the circuit.

German Nico Rosberg ran an encouraging third 1:26.322 for Mercedes but his afternoon session finished early with gearbox trouble.

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen was fourth in a Lotus ahead of French teammate Romain Grosjean.