Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany walks in the pit to the first practice session at the Chinese F1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit April 15, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

SHANGHAI - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday's practice for the Chinese Grand Prix, further indicating the Formula One championship leader will be the man to beat this weekend.

Vettel's best time was just two tenths of a second faster than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who in turn was a tenth faster than teammate Jenson Button.

The Mercedes pair of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher were fourth and fifth respectively, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa in sixth.

Red Bull's Mark Webber was down in 10th as he concentrated on testing a high-fuel set up, while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was 14th fastest after missing much of the session with a hydraulic problem.