SINGAPORE — Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday’s practice ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
With the Red Bull cars needing to finish ahead of their Brawn GP rivals Sunday to remain in the Formula One championship, Vettel set a best time of 1 minute, 48.650 seconds at the Marina Bay circuit.
Renault driver Fernando Alonso, who won the race last year, was second fastest, ahead of McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen and Nick Heidfeld of BMW.
Championship leader Jenson Button of Brawn was fifth, a spot ahead of Red Bull driver Mark Webber, whose second practice session was curtailed by a crash into a wall. Brawn driver Rubens Barrichello was 11th.
PARIS — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is supporting Jean Todt to replace Max Mosley as president of motor racing’s governing body.
Mosley, whose fourth and final term as FIA president will end in October’s elections, is also backing Todt. Former world rally champion Ari Vatanen is Todt’s rival for the job.
Ecclestone said Friday in a statement: “Jean is by far the most knowledgeable and capable candidate for this vitally important role.”
A former Ferrari team principal, Todt also worked on FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
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