Button sets pace as Buemi crashes
Ticket holders to this weekend's Formula One Chinese Grand Prix may see Brit Jenson Button challenge for his second win of the season.
The McLaren driver appears to be the early pace setter after recoirding the fastest time in the first practice session today (Friday, April 16th).
However, the day was marred by a dramatic crash by young Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi.
The 21-year-old, driving for Toro Rosso, was lucky to walk away after impacting the barriers at the end of the back straight of the Shanghai circuit.
It was caused by both his front wheels simultaneously parting with the car while under breaking.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso also had a bad day after his engine caught fire 50 minutes into the session, causing him to miss the rest of the day's practice.
Meanwhile, Nico Rosberg of Mercedes finished second, 0.071secs off Button's time with Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton coming in third.
The Chinese Formula Grand Prix gets underway with qualifying tomorrow, Saturday April 17th.
Posted by Claire Charpentier
