Young German driver Sebastian Vettel, a driver of the Scuderia Toro Rosso squadron, caused a major surprise this morning when he set the fastest time in the first of two free practice sessions for the inaugural Grand Prix of Europe in the streets of Valencia, Spain.

Fernando Alonso, Renault R28

Vettel, driving a Ferrari-powered STR3, emerged quickest ahead of Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren). It must be pinpointed however that Vettel's Toro Rosso was the only car to be fitted with a set of new, soft tires this morning.

In the afternoon, local hero Fernando Alonso (Renault) set the best lap with just 4 minutes remaining in the session. However, he was beaten by reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) just before the chequered was waved.

Team Honda Jenson Button was a surprising 3rd, having beaten the Ferrari of Massa.

Morning free practice session
Driver Car Time Laps
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso STR3-Ferrari) - 1'40"496 - 29
2 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2008) - 1'40"654 - 27
3 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/23-Mercedes) - 1'40"822 - 21
4 - Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso STR3-Ferrari) - 1'41"099 - 31
5 - Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren MP4/23-Mercedes) - 1'41"163 - 23
6 - Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber F1.08) - 1'41"281 - 24
7 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F2008) - 1'41"317 - 27
8 - Kazuki Nakajima (Williams FW30-Toyota) - 1'41"329 - 26
9 - Fernando Alonso (Renault R28) - 1'41"385 - 31
10 - Nico Rosberg (Williams FW30-Toyota) - 1'41"706 - 22
11 - Rubens Barrichello (Honda RA108) - 1'41"830 - 27
12 - Jarno Trulli (Toyota TF108) - 1'41"930 - 27
13 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM01-Ferrari) - 1'41"951 - 23
14 - Timo Glock (Toyota TF108) - 1'42"036 - 27
15 - Nelson Piquet (Renault R28) - 1'42"107 - 32
16 - Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1.08) - 1'42"453 - 23
17 - Jenson Button (Honda RA108) - 1'42"460 - 29
18 - Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India VJM01-Ferrari) - 1'43"075 - 25
19 - David Coulthard (Red Bull RB3-Renault) - 1'43"312 - 23
20 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB3-Renault) - 1'43"524 - 24

Afternoon free practice session
1 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F2008) - 1'39"477 - 30
2 - Fernando Alonso (Renault R28) - 1'39"497 - 39
3 - Jenson Button (Honda RA108) - 1'39"546 - 35
4 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2008) - 1'39"678 - 31
5 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/23-Mercedes) - 1'39"712 - 31
6 - Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren MP4/23-Mercedes) - 1'39"954 - 30
7 - Timo Glock (Toyota TF108) - 1'39"967 - 32
8 - Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber F1.08) - 1'40"149 - 35
9 - Nelson Piquet (Renault R28) - 1'40"439 - 32
10 - Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India VJM01-Ferrari) - 1'40"500 - 23
11 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB3-Renault) - 1'40"585 - 24
12 - Nico Rosberg (Williams FW30-Toyota) - 1'40"607 - 34
13 - David Coulthard (Red Bull RB3-Renault) - 1'40"696 - 23
14 - Kazuki Nakajima (Williams FW30-Toyota) - 1'40"742 - 34
15 - Jarno Trulli (Toyota TF108) - 1'40"877 - 32
16 - Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso STR3-Ferrari) - 1'40"982 - 36
17 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM01-Ferrari) - 1'40"999 - 32
18 - Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber F1.08) - 1'41"084 - 35
19 - Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso STR3-Ferrari) - 1'41"246 - 38
20 - Rubens Barrichello (Honda RA108) - 1'41"377 - 31


Photo Credit : WRI2