Robert Kubica put Renault on top of the timesheets after an eventful first practice session at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix today.

Kubica, who became Poland's first F1 driver with BMW-Sauber in 2006, lapped the Albert Park street circuit in one minute, 26.927 seconds to pip Mercedes's German driver Nico Rosberg by .199 seconds.

World champion Jenson Button briefly held the fastest lap but the McLaren driver finished with third quickest more than half a second off the pace.

Brazil's Felipe Massa, who finished second behind Ferrari team mate Fernando Alonso at the season-opener in Bahrain, came in fourth ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

Double world champion Alonso posted the fifth fastest lap ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

Michael Schumacher, a four-times winner at Albert Park, was again upstaged by his younger team mate Rosberg, posting the 12th fastest lap over one and a half seconds off the pace.

Australian Mark Webber, touted as having his best chance to win his home grand prix in the much hyped Red Bull cars, ran off the track late in a disappointing session to finish with the 14th fastest lap.

Britain's Paul di Resta marked his track debut at a grand prix weekend with the 11th fastest lap, after he replaced Team India's German race regular Adrian Sutil in the session.

BMW Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi came off the track at turn 11, losing part of his front wing, forcing the session to be red-flagged to clear the track.

Minutes later, the Japanese driver's wing came clean off to prompt another red flag. Kobayashi's Spanish team mate Pedro de la Rosa also caused a yellow flag after grinding to a halt.