(CNN) -- New Formula One season, same old story. Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel began his quest for a fourth consecutive drivers' title by putting his Red Bull top of the timesheets in practice ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The German's lap of one minute and 25.908 seconds edged out teammate Mark Webber, who was second fastest. "Overall it was a good day for us," the 25-year-old Vettel told the sport's official website. "After all the mileage of testing, it was fun to be out there -- this circuit doesn't get easier, it's a good challenge." "Today was a good day and the balance was good, but we need to be ready for what's coming up."
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Sebastian Vettel quickest in practice ahead of Australian Grand Prix
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Sunday's race in Melbourne is the first of the 2013 Formula One season
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Vettel first ahead of Red Bull teammate Mark Webber in second place
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Mercedes' Nico Rosberg third fastest, Lewis Hamilton seventh
It wasn't an ideal start to a new chapter in his career for the 2008 world champion, with @placeholder ending the day seventh fastest after sliding off the track during what looked to be a promising lap.