Sebastian Vettel on Friday played down his best time posted in the very first official session at the new Valencia street circuit.

The German headed the usual pacesetters from Ferrari, McLaren and BMW-Sauber at the end of the initial 90-minute practice, and his Toro Rosso teammate Sebastien Vettel was also high in the order.

The feat moved some cynics to note that the cars' refueller had possibly been told to take a break while a potential team buyer surveyed the practice session.

"We were the only team that used new tyres again right at the end," the 21-year-old admitted afterwards. "Naturally that counts for quite a lot."

Shortly after the session, F1 figures - including the drivers and team bosses like Ron Dennis, Ross Brawn and Sir Frank Williams - gathered with local officials for two minutes of silence in tribute to the Spanair plane crash victims.

For this reason, the start of the subsequent GP2 session was delayed.

Source: GMM