Jenson Button sets pace in Suzuka practice

McLaren's Jenson Button has set the fastest time of the first practice session ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Button recorded a time of 1:34.507 in Suzuka to set the pace in the opening session, with teammate Lewis Hamilton in second to complete a good morning for McLaren.

Sebastian Vettel seemed to struggle and could only record a 17th-place finish but Mark Webber ensured the team did enjoy some success by setting a time only bettered by the McLaren duo.

Mercedes were dealt a cruel blow when Nico Rosberg was forced to pull out late in the session after an impressive performance while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was off the pace in 11th.

1. Button 2. Hamilton 3. Webber 4. Rosberg 5. Schumacher 6. Kobayashi 7. Massa 8 Di Resta 9. Hulkenberg 10. Maldonado 11. Alonso 12. Perez 13. Raikkonen 14. Grosjean 15. Ricciardo 16. Vergne 17. Vettel 18. Bottas 19. Glock 20. Petrov 21. Pic 22. Karthikeyan 23. Van der Garde 24. De la Rosa