Vettel fastest in practice for British GP

Red Bull dominated practice for Formula One's British Grand Prix with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber fastest in both sessions on Friday.

Vettel set a fastest lap of 1 minute, 19.4 seconds late in the first session on a day when action on the Silverstone track was overshadowed by the announcement that eight of F1's 10 teams, including Red Bull, will form a rival series after failing to resolve their dispute with the FIA, motor sport's governing body. The FIA retaliated by suing the Formula One Teams Association.

Vettel was 0.056 seconds slower in the second 90-minute session, when Webber reduced the gap on his 21-year-old German teammate to 0.197. Webber's second session ended early when he hit a curb, cutting out the car's electronics.

"It was a good day for both of us," Vettel said. "We were able to do a lot of laps and collect a lot of data. The new parts that we brought here seem to be working well, which is a good sign, but on a Friday it's always difficult to know how quick we really are.

"I think we've made a step forward though and, just like our team slogan Red Bull Gives You Wings, I think they helped us today for our performance on track."

Championship leader Jenson Button had a disappointing day, completing a lap of his home circuit in 1:20.227 for third in the morning but slumped to 14th later.

Brawn GP chief executive Ross Brawn said he expects a difficult race from the Red Bulls.

"They're too quick," he said. "I think we're going to have trouble this weekend."

Button has won six of the season's first seven races to lead the overall standings by 27 points from teammate Rubens Barrichello, who was fourth in the morning, then dropped two places in the afternoon.

"Even if we sort the car out we are not going to be as quick as the Red Bulls, they are just staggeringly quick around here," Button said. "I don't think we are going to find that pace overnight. If it is warmer I think it will help our car because we are not getting temperature in the tires."

Force India's Adrian Sutil was the third fastest driver overall after timing 1:20.141 in the second session.

Lewis Hamilton, who won the race last year by 68 seconds, was seventh in the second session in his McLaren.

AP