Vettel Dominates Practice For F1 Australian GP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Formula One’s three-time reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel signaled he is the man to beat again in 2013 by setting the fastest times in both practice sessions Friday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Vettel and Red Bull teammate Mark Webber set the two fastest times around the Albert Park circuit, immediately dashing the hopes of rivals who thought they’d caught up during the offseason.

Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg was third quickest but suffered a suspected gearbox failure late in the second session, shortly after new teammate Lewis Hamilton went off the track into a tire wall.

Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean were fourth and fifth fastest, ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

McLaren’s Jenson Button was down the timesheets in 11th.