Webber puts down German GP marker in practice

Red Bull bids to end Ferrari resurgence after British GP.

NüRBURGRING:

Mark Webber topped the times for Red Bull at the end of Friday’s two opening practice sessions for this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

The 34-year-old Australian, who won the last race on the circuit in 2009, clocked a fastest time of one minute and 31.770 seconds to outpace Fernando Alonso of Ferrari by one-tenth of a second.

The two-times champion Spaniard, who won last year’s German race held at Hockenheim, was himself two-tenths of a second clear of Webber’s teammate and German defending champion Sebastian Vettel who is seeking his first win on home soil.

Alonso’s Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa was fourth ahead of the two Mercedes drivers Michael Schumacher, 42, the seven-times champion, and Nico Rosberg, 26.

Briton Lewis Hamilton was seventh for McLaren ahead of Nick Heidfeld and his Renault teammate Vitaly Petrov. Adrian Sutil made it five Germans in the top ten in his Force India.

Alonso tops opening session

Earlier, Alonso topped the times for Ferrari in the opening free practice session.

Alonso, 30 next week, clocked a best time of one minute and 31.894 seconds round the 5.184 kilometre circuit in the Eifel mountains, outpacing nearest rival Webber by four-tenths of a second.

For Alonso and Ferrari it was confirmation of their continuing renaissance in form and speed after winning the British Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Australia GP future doubt as costs soar

The future of Australia’s Formula One GP remains in doubt with this year’s Melbourne race costing taxpayers $54 million, said Australia’s Victoria state government.

Victoria Tourism Minister Louise Asher said the state government could only guarantee its support of the GP until 2015 upon the expiry of its contract with the sport’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

“This is a very, very large taxpayer subsidy about which I am not comfortable,” said Asher before adding that the fee paid to Ecclestone by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for the right to host the race, reportedly to be at least AUS$25 million, is one of the largest single financial demands on the event.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2011.