Melbourne: McLaren driver Jenson Button emerged as the fastest driver in Friday's practice for opening race of the season Australian Grand Prix here.

Button set the fastest time of one minute and 27.560 in first practice 0.245 seconds ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. The second session did not see much action as the rain prevented the drivers to exert more in order to avoid damage to their new cars.

In the second session, Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was fastest setting a time of 1mb29.183s, marginally ahead of Sahara force India’s Nico Hulkenberg.

The McLaren teammates were trailed by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber of Red Bull and Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.

Defending Champion did not have the best of the outing as he finished 11th and 10th in first and second training respectively.

By Indian Sports News Network