Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber dominated the opening two practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Vettel was quickest in both sessions, with championship leader Webber right behind his team-mate and Robert Kubica third quickest in his Renault on both occasions.

Ferrari were off the pace in the first session, but Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa improved for P2, coming in fourth and fifth fastest respectively.

McLaren's defending world champion Jenson Button was sixth quickest in the second session, but team-mate Lewis Hamilton endured a tough day.

The Englishman crashed out in the first session after making a mistake at the Degner Two corner, impacting the left side of his car against the crash barriers after sliding across the gravel.

He was back out to finish in 13th place in session two, having earlier been backed by Vettel after crashing out of the last two races.

"I think Lewis is one of the best drivers we have right now in Formula One," Vettel told reporters. "He's not very old but he already had quite a lot of experience.

"I don't see him struggling just because he didn't finish in the last two races.

"He's still in a better position, better than I am. I don't think it has changed much."

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