Schumacher back on top

Michael Schumacher topped practice for the first time on Friday since returning from retirement in 2010, ahead of this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The seven-time champion, 43, clocked a best lap of 1: 29.183 seconds in his Mercedes in the final minute of a dramatic day's action at rain-hit Albert Park. The lap lifted him ahead of fellow German Nico Hulkenberg by one-tenth of a second, the Mercedes-powered Force India driver having been on top for most of a closely-fought final 10 minutes.

The 2009 champion Jenson Button, who was fastest in the earlier opening session, wound up in 15th for McLaren.