Trump administration pulls US out of Unesco again    Saudi Arabia launches first academy for arts and culture in public education    Saudi investment delegation arrives in Damascus for landmark economic forum    Saudi Arabia launches first pilot phase of self-driving vehicles in Riyadh    Philippines goods to face 19% tariff, Trump says    Israel's allies see evidence of war crimes in Gaza mounting up    Idaho student killer heads to prison, but mysteries in the case remain    Thousands pay tribute to veteran Indian communist leader    Al Ahli steps in for Al Hilal at Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong    Music stars and fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne    Al-Qaryan Group executes multiple dismantling and recycling projects for Saudi Water Authority    Shahad Ameen's Hijra selected for 82nd Venice Film Festival spotlight    Saudi films earn SR100 million at box office in 2025    Saudi Arabia issues new regulations for fine dining restaurants    Saudi Arabia, UK sign new security agreements to deepen future cooperation    Saudi researchers develop 25 advanced semiconductor chips to drive R&D    Al Hilal withdraws from 2025 Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong; SAFF to consider Al Ahli as replacement    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – game review A human journey in a fractured world    José Semedo named acting CEO of Al Nassr    Aubameyang exits Al Qadsiah as club turns to youth with Retegui signing    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Vettel, Red Bull top day 1 of new season
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 16 - 03 - 2013

MELBOURNE — World champion Sebastian Vettel put his rivals firmly in their place by dominating both practice sessions on the opening day of the Formula One season at the Australian Grand Prix Friday.
The German, embarking on his quest for a fourth successive world title, steered the car he has nicknamed ‘Hungry Heidi' around the Melbourne street circuit in one minute 25.908 seconds half an hour before the end of the second session.
That lap topped the time sheets for the day, edging his Australian teammate Mark Webber (1.26.172) into second place as the Red Bull team scattered a few seeds of doubt over the consensus that the gap to the rest of the grid was narrowing.
“Overall it was a good day for us, it was pretty seamless and there was no trouble with the car,” the 25-year-old Vettel told reporters. “After all the mileage of testing, it was fun to be out there - this circuit doesn't get easier, it's a good challenge.”
Nico Rosberg (1.26.322) was the best of the rest on what would have been an encouraging day for Mercedes had he not later ground to a halt with a gearbox problem moments after teammate Lewis Hamilton had driven over the gravel and into a wall.
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, third in the championship last year, and Romain Grosjean grabbed the fourth and fifth best times to confirm some impressive showings for Lotus in pre-season testing.
Twice world champion Fernando Alonso and his teammate Felipe Massa had more competitive first than second sessions for Ferrari, finishing sixth and eighth fastest overall to sandwich the unfortunate Hamilton.
“We already knew we were not the quickest and that was confirmed today,” said Spaniard Alonso, runner-up in the championship last year.
“The weather is expected to change completely from tomorrow, with wind, rain and a significant drop in temperature, which could influence Sunday's race.”
Hamilton had started brightly on a warm and sunny day at Albert Park and finished fourth quickest in his first practice session for Mercedes after his switch from McLaren.
The 2008 world champion faced the lonely walk back to the paddock seven minutes from the end of the second session, however, after a crash the team said had been caused by a bodywork problem which caused him to understeer.
German Adrian Sutil made an excellent start on his return to Force India after a year out of the sport by setting the ninth quickest time overall, outperforming not only his team mate Paul Di Resta but also both McLarens.
Jenson Button managed only the 11th fastest time – 2.386 seconds off the pace – with his new teammate, Mexican Sergio Perez, lapping 13th quickest.
None of the five rookie drivers set the world alight. — Reuters


Clic here to read the story from its source.