Webber leads way in first practice for Brazilian GP

Nov 25, 2011, 14:17 GMT

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Red Bull's Mark Webber set the pace in the first practice session Friday for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Webber edged McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, with team-mate Sebastian Vettel fourth fastest.

Vettel, who wrapped up back-to-back world titles four races ago in Japan, is aiming to set a record 15 poles in a season and take a 12th win of the year in Sunday's last race of the Formula One season.

The German equalled Nigel Mansell's record of 14 poles in a season in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.

Webber posted a fastest lap of one minute 13.811 seconds at the 4.309km Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, with Button on 1:13.825. Only 0.214 seconds separated the top four.

Home favourite Felipe Massa, set to compete in his 100th race for Ferrari, and team-mate Fernando Alonso were fifth and sixth, Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes seventh, Force India's Nico Huelkenberg and Paul di Resta eighth and ninth, and Nico Rosberg in Mercedes 10th.

A second practice session is scheduled for later. Qualifying to determine grid positions for the race is Saturday.