(CNN) -- Champion elect Sebastian Vettel recorded the fastest time in practice Friday for the Japanese Grand Prix during an afternoon session overshadowed by the news of the death of Maria de Villota. Red Bull's Vettel will win his fourth straight world title Sunday if he wins at Suzuka and nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes outside the top eight. Vettel showed his car's pace with a one minute 33.852 clocking in hot conditions, with teammate Mark Webber of Australia second fastest. But the thoughts of the drivers were with De Villota, a reserve driver for Marussia until a horror crash in testing a year ago curtailed her F1 ambitions.
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Sebastian Vettel fastest in practice for Japan GP
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Red Bull driver edges out teammate Mark Webber in Friday's timesheets
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Fernando Alonso only 10th for Ferrari in afternoon session
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Vettel can clinch fourth straight F1 title Sunday
Vettel, who has won the last four Grand Prix races to open up 77 point lead over @placeholder, cautioned against placing too much emphasis on Friday practice.