F1’s rising star quicker than title contenders

They say the younger you are, the easier it is to learn, and Seb Vettel, 21, proved that by lapping faster than older, more experienced drivers in the first open practice session at Valencia’s new street circuit. The odds on Vettel ending up at a top team in 2010 get shorter and shorter. Vettel’s team-mate, Sebastien Bourdais, also had a fine morning. He finished fourth in the rankings.

It’s perplexing that the Toro Rosso upstarts are suddenly going so well, while Red Bull Racing - supposedly the senior team to STR - are way off the pace: in contrast to the two Sebs, David Coulthard and Mark Webber were slowest this morning, finishing 19th and 20th respectively.

Lewis Hamilton looked like setting a faster time than Vettel, but the Englishman spun while on a quick lap, and so had to settle for third place. Sandwiched between Vettel and Hamilton was Felipe Massa, who again got the better of Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Lil’ Lewis wasn’t the only driver to find the going tough on the new track; several other drivers spun off, but no one crashed into the concrete walls.

Full morning timesheet below: