( CNN ) -- New Formula One season , same old story . Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel began his quest for a fourth consecutive drivers ' title by putting his Red Bull top of the timesheets in practice ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix . The German 's lap of one minute and 25.908 seconds edged out teammate Mark Webber , who was second fastest . `` Overall it was a good day for us , '' the 25-year-old Vettel told the sport 's official website . `` After all the mileage of testing , it was fun to be out there -- this circuit does n't get easier , it 's a good challenge . '' `` Today was a good day and the balance was good , but we need to be ready for what 's coming up . '' The nearest challenger to the Red Bull drivers was Mercedes ' Nico Rosberg , who continued to show the pace which saw him go faster than any other driver during preseason testing . For Rosberg 's teammate , Lewis Hamilton , this weekend will be his first grand prix since ending a 15-year association with McLaren . It was n't an ideal start to a new chapter in his career for the 2008 world champion , with Hamilton ending the day seventh fastest after sliding off the track during what looked to be a promising lap . `` Overall it was a good day , if perhaps not the smoothest , '' reflected Hamilton . `` I 'm happy with where we are and to see Nico in third place on the timesheets shows that we 're pretty competitive . `` That 's a reflection of a great job that everyone has done at the factory and here at the track . I 'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend . '' Friday 's practice at Albert Park took place in favorable conditions , although wet weather is predicted for qualifying on Saturday . Ferrari 's Fernando Alonso , who was sixth fastest , expects conditions to change completely , while he also doubts the Italian team will be able to compete at the front of the grid in Melbourne . `` Our efforts were helped by particularly favourable weather with sunshine and summery temperatures , '' explained the double world champion . `` However , the weather is expected to change completely from tomorrow , with wind , rain and a significant drop in temperature , which could influence Sunday 's race . `` I 'm not expecting any major surprises here , we already knew we were not the quickest and that was confirmed today . The car responds well , but we know there is still much to do if we want to fight with the very best . ''
Sebastian Vettel quickest in practice ahead of Australian Grand Prix . Sunday 's race in Melbourne is the first of the 2013 Formula One season . Vettel first ahead of Red Bull teammate Mark Webber in second place . Mercedes ' Nico Rosberg third fastest , Lewis Hamilton seventh .