Alonso quickest in first practice in Germany

Reuters: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso followed up his opening win of the season in Great Britain two weeks ago by finishing quickest in first practice for the German Grand Prix as the rain stayed away on Friday.

Heavy showers and even a hailstorm had hit the Nuerburgring on Thursday but despite the usual threatening clouds in the Eifel mountains, the teams were able to get through their warm up routines with different tyres undisturbed.

World champion and championship leader Sebastian Vettel topped the timesheets for much of the session at his home race but dropped down to third behind Red Bull team mate Mark Webber and Spain’s Alonso, who set the fastest lap of 1:31.984.

Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi suffered the only big incident when he spun off late in the session while Michael Schumacher ploughed through the gravel.

A decent crowd, which had earlier clogged the roads in the isolated area of western Germany, was in attendance with Force India reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg taking the first session instead of Paul Di Resta meaning seven Germans were on track.