Mark Webber ensured Red Bull got its Brazilian Grand Prix weekend off to the required strong start by setting the pace in a rain-disrupted opening practice session on Friday.
The Australian is desperate to enjoy a competitive weekend after experiencing five successive point-less races and, after being among the initial pacesetters before a rain shower and later red flag caused long delays, returned to set the best time of 1m12.463s in the closing stages.
Local favourite and title contender Rubens Barrichello got the most important home grand prix of his 17-year career off to a strong start by setting the second quickest time, the Brazilian sneaking ahead of the second RBR driver and fellow title contender Sebastian Vettel.
Points leader Jenson Button meanwhile – who can clinch the title with a third place finish this weekend – was several places further back from his two rivals in seventh, although a trouble-free start was just what the doctor ordered for the Brawn man.
McLaren and its KERS-equipped MP4-24 is expected to again be a front-running threat and Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton appeared to confirm that potential by setting the fourth and fifth fastest times respectively.
Williams also made a promising start to the season’s penultimate round with Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg sandwiching Button in sixth and eighth.
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