Vettel eventually finished 15.1 seconds ahead of Australian Webber, who is still searching for his first Formula One victory.

CNN: Red Bull 1-2 as Vettel claims British GP

Button, who left world champions Brawn at the end of last year following their takeover by Mercedes, was a second behind Schumacher with Australian Webber close behind him.

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Australian Mark Webber was fourth fastest for Red Bull ahead of Barrichello's team-mate and championship leader Jenson Button.

CNN: Alonso quickest in Brazil Grand Prix practice

Australian Mark Webber, who currently sits second in the championship after wins at Monaco and Silverstone, had a miserable day amd will start eleventh on the grid.

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Ecclestone, who has criticised a new Saturday qualifying format which has become more a question of strategy than speed, had no problem with Friday's session that saw Australian Mark Webber surprisingly set the fastest time in his Jaguar.

BBC: Tyre rules set for rethink

If 2011 was a vintage year for Vettel, it was a frustrating one for his Australian teammate Mark Webber.

CNN: Red Bull chief Horner: 'Vettel can still improve'

Vettel's Australian teammate Mark Webber endured a frustrating 2011, securing his first and only win of the year at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on his way to a third-place finish in the drivers' standings -- 134 points behind Vettel.

CNN: F1 champion Vettel: 'Red Bull out to dominate again'

Others like the Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber cycle it.

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Mark Webber -- 0 Australian Grand Prix wins.

CNN: Silverstone support: Does home advantage help in F1?

If Alonso crosses the line first or second on Sunday the title will be his, but should the Spaniard finish third or worse and Webber win then the Australian Red Bull driver would take the crown.

BBC: Fernando Alonso hopes Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi GP

Vettel's second fastest lap was in sharp contrast to Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber's performance, with the Australian's car suffering suspected engine failure.

CNN: Hamilton dominant in Malaysia practice

Massa was later handed a three-place grid penalty after being accused of impeding Mark Webber in the second Red Bull during Q2, with the Australian qualifying eighth behind Lotus' Romain Grosjean.

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Pizzonia was also outpaced and psychologically undermined by Webber when they were team-mates at Jaguar, whereas Coulthard and the Australian are friends and would be happy to work together.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Coulthard makes his point

But with Alonso qualifying third behind Webber's team-mate Sebastian Vettel and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, the Australian has it all to do.

BBC: Downbeat Mark Webber promises fight to the flag

Vettel, who collected wins in China and Britain, had emerged as Button's chief rival but Webber's maiden victory on his team-mate's home soil has also put the Australian in the frame for the title race.

BBC: Button eager to stop Red Bull run