CANBERRA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Formula One (F1) driver Mark Webber was the fastest driver in Friday afternoon's opening practice ahead of this weekend's season-opening Australian F1 Grand Prix (GP) in Melbourne.

On Friday's cool cloudy conditions on Melbourne's Albert Park street circuit, Webber, who is bidding to win his first home GP at his 10th attempt, set a best lap of one minute 26.831 seconds, just 0.327 seconds ahead of his world champion Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel (1:27.158).

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was third fastest, with Britain Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton 0.75 seconds back in sixth and seventh.

Veteran Michael Schumacher was eighth quickest in his Mercedes.

The second free practice session takes place later Friday, ahead of Saturday's qualifying for Sunday's first race of the season.