The final free practice session before Australian Grand Prix qualifying was a mixed affair with rain interrupting proceedings 16 minutes into the hour.

The session began in strong sunshine, but with heavy clouds gathering around Albert Park, drivers headed out as soon as the pitlane light turned green, Mark Webber being the first driver to set a time. That was soon eclipsed and times continued to fall until the rains came. At that point Romain Grosjean was quickest with a time of 1m26.929. Behind him were the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

Red Bull Racing continued to show they’re still the team to beat in Formula One with Sebastian Vettel following up his fastest time in FP1 with another dominant display in the second free practice session ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

Vettel was joined at the top of the timesheet by team-mate Mark Webber who finished the session just two tenths of a second adrift of the defending champion.

Defending Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel claimed top spot in the first free practice session of the 2013 championship with a lap of 1:27.211 at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit.

The Red Bull Racing driver was followed by Felipe Massa, who finished just 0.078 adrift of the German. Fernando Alonso took third place with a lap 0.336 back from the 2012 champion.