MONACO // Sebastian Vettel posted the fastest time today in an action-packed first practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso showing excellent form and Michael Schumacher sliding off the track.
After a water leak on the track delayed the session for a few minutes, Vettel came out for a few laps near the end and clocked a time of 1min 16.619secs in his Red Bull Racing car. The world champion is looking for his fifth race win this season.
Alonso, who has Ferrari's only podium place this season with third place in Turkey, was not far off in 1:16.732.
The two-time former F1 champion looked certain to set the fastest time after overtaking Nico Rosberg's mark, but Vettel stepped it up with a commanding final lap as drivers enjoyed idyllic racing conditions under perfect blue skies.
Rosberg was third in 1:17.139, which was a small comfort for Mercedes GP after Schumacher spun into a wall.
The seven-time former world champion got out of his car and was unhurt.
Mark Webber, Vettel's Red Bull teammate, who won in Monaco ahead of Vettel last year, had gearbox problems and did not set a time after a few warm-up laps. Webber needs a boost of confidence in Monaco after failing to finish on the podium at last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, despite starting from pole position.
But on a good morning for the struggling Ferrari team, Felipe Massa was fourth quickest ahead of the McLaren-Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button - both former F1 champions and former winners in Monaco.
Hamilton was looking particularly good, but he got held up by traffic and could not get a clean lap to show his true pace.
Schumacher, who holds the lap record in Monaco, has been scrambling to find his form this season, and had the 10th fastest time before being undone on a turn at Ste Devote. His front tires locked and he lost control, sending his Mercedes skewing off at a sharp angle and into a tire wall.
The 42-year-old German driver looked perplexed as he stood and gazed at his car being lifted away.
Vitantonio Liuzzi also span as he came out of the tunnel and the front wing of his Hispania flew off. The Italian driver clambered out of his Hispania car and gave a thumbs up signal to show that he was fine.
Drivers are using Pirelli's new supersoft tires for the first time this season in Monaco, and Vettel's rivals will he hoping Monaco's slow track, which is notoriously hard for overtaking, will help to halt the German's title charge.
Vettel has already opened up a commanding 41-point lead over Hamilton by winning four of the opening five races, and finishing second behind Hamilton in China.
