Austrian GP: Rosberg tops practice 1

Under threatening skies that finally let loose in the last 30 min of the session, Mercedes continued their dominance of the 2014 F1 season Friday at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Nico Rosberg was fastest in first free practice for the Austrian Grand Prix with his teammate Lewis Hamilton not far behind.

Rosberg's 1m11.295s best lap was done early in the session before periods of rain began.

Fernando Alonso was third for Ferrari, the Spaniard ahead of Felipe Massa's Williams and Jenson Button, these three the only other drivers to break through the 1m12s barrier.

The Red Bull Renaults were out to lunch on a track where horsepower is king. World champion Sebastian Vettel endured a difficult session on Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz's home circuit, was only 15th fastest and did a 720-degree spin across the grass exiting the final turn.

Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo was 13th.

Results