European GP - FP1 - Mark Webber kept Red Bull still on top after change in engine mapping rule

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Mark Webber set the fastest time in the Free Practice Session 1 here in Valencia, even after FIA announced the change in rules for engine mapping that helped Red Bull the maximum.

Friday 1st practice session started on a dirty track with drivers gaining the speed gradually as the day progressed. Many drivers went off track on turn 12-13 chicane, as they tried to lock their front tyres. Felipe Massa was the common victim at the turn.

Mark Webber cruised his way into 1min 40's comfortably ahead of Vitaly Petrov and Fernando Alonso. However his teammate world champion Sebastian Vettel finished only 16th.

Vitaly Petrov and Fernando Alonso were almost a second slower than Mark Webber Red Bull followed by Lewis Hamilton.

Nick Heidfeld in his second Renault was 5th fastest ahead of Massa. Last race winner Jenson Button only managed to finish in 7th.

Adrian Sutil was the star of the first practice session cruising his Force India at 1min 41.955 sec was 8th fastest.

Mercedes struggle to make a mark as Nico Rosberg was only 9th fastest and was not able to make it to 1min 41sec.

Jaime Alguersuari this time beats his teammate reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo. They are separated by Michael Schumacher.

Rubens Barrichello put his Williams ahead of his teammate at 13th.

Sergio Perez once again returned to F1 after his horrifying crash in qualifying in Monaco. He finished 14th for the first practice session ahead of Pastor Maldonando.

Kamui Kobayashi could not make his mark as he was only 17th fastest.

Force India reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg hit the barriers as his rear wing locks down causing him to hit the wall. He was only 18th on the timesheet. The accident caused VJM04 front and rear wing damage, rear suspension and side bodywork. However the car will be probably ready for FP2.

Heiki Kovalainen as usual well ahead of the newcomers Virgin and HRT.

He is followed by Virgin and HRT.

Indian Driver Karun Chandhok unfortunate Friday practice session run continues as he was unable to set the time in his Lotus due to gearbox problem. He was advised not to drive in 2nd gear just before he parked his car in the garage. He was only able to continue for 2laps.

Pos	Driver	Team	Time	Gap	Laps
1	Mark Webber	Red Bull - Renault	1min 40.403sec		22
2	Vitaly Petrov	Renault	1min 41.227sec	0.824	20
3	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari	1min 41.239sec	0.836	22
4	Lewis Hamilton	Mclaren - Mercedes	1min 41.510sec	1.107	23
5	Nick Heidfeld	Renault	1min 41.580sec	1.177	24
6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1min 41.758sec	1.355	23
7	Jenson Button	Mclaren - Mercedes	1min 41.926sec	1.523	14
8	Adrain Sutil	Force India-Mercedes	1min 41.955sec	1.552	20
9	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes GP	1min 42.043sec	1.640	22
10	Jaime Alguersuari	STR - Ferrari	1min 42.216sec	1.813	29
11	Michael Schumacher	Mercedes GP	1min 42.270sec	1.867	26
12	Daniel Ricciardo	STR - Ferrari	1min 42.412sec	2.009	27
13	Rubens Barrichello	Williams - Cosworth	1min 42.704sec	2.301	23
14	Sergio Perez	Sauber - Ferrari	1min 42.738sec	2.335	20
15	Pastor Maldonado	Williams - Cosworth	1min 42.841sec	2.438	28
16	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull - Renault	1min 42.941sec	2.538	21
17	Kamui Kobayashi	Sauber - Ferrari	1min 43.201sec	2.798	18
18	Nico Hulkenberg	Force India - Mercedes	1min 43.769sec	3.366	7
19	Heikki Kovalainen	Lotus - Renault	1min 44.136sec	3.733	17
20	Jerome d'Ambrosio	Virgin - Cosworth	1min 45.026sec	4.623	17
21	Timo Glock	Virgin - Cosworth	1min 45.221sec	4.818	19
22	Vitantonio Liuzzi	HRT - Cosworth	1min 45.494sec	5.091	24
23	Narain Karthikeyan	HRT - Cosworth	1min 46.926sec	6.523	27
24	Karun Chandhok	Lotus-Renault	No Time		2