Yeongam: Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday's practice for the Korean Grand Prix, edging Red Bull teammate Mark Webber and Formula One championship leader Fernando Alonso.
Vettel, who has won the previous two races to move within four points of Ferrari's Alonso in the drivers' standings, was 0.032 seconds faster than Webber at the Yeongam circuit. Alonso was 0.328 seconds off the pace.
McLaren driver Jenson Button was fourth followed by Mercedes' Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's Felipe Massa. Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was fastest in the morning session, struggled to find speed on the softer tires in the afternoon and finished eighth behind Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg was ninth while Lotus' Kimi Raikonnen — third in the championship standings — was 10th.
Many drivers struggled to find grip on the dusty track. Hamilton went off the track late in the afternoon session as did Williams driver Bruno Senna, who finished 12th.
Sergio Perez experienced engine trouble with his Sauber which ground to a halt midway through the session. Race marshals had to roll the car off the track at Turn 12 and Perez was done for the day.
The Mexican driver, who will move to McLaren next year, had to settle for 15th place after 11 laps.
Webber and Vettel swapped the top spot for almost the entirety of the second practice session.
Friday's result was an early indication the Red Bulls will be tough to beat on the weekend when Vettel will be aiming to overtake Alonso in the drivers' standings and the team tries to extend its lead in the constructors' championship.
Vettel won the Korean GP last year and arrives in Korea having won the previous two races in Japan and Singapore to erode Alonso's lead with five races left.
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