Sebastian Vettel ended the opening day of practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at the top of the timesheets as his benchmark time yesterday morning remained unbeaten in a rain-delayed afternoon session in which only five drivers set a time. The Ferrari driver lapped the 5.8-kilometer long Suzuka track in one minute 29.166 seconds under overcast skies spitting with rain, beating championship rival Lewis Hamilton to second.

Sebastian Vettel. Pic/AFP