Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber could both be accused of losing their grip yesterday after the Red Bull duo launched scathing attacks on what they perceive as tyre wear becoming too dominant a factor in Formula One.

The pair took their customary positions near the front of the pack during the first free practice sessions for the Malaysian Grand Prix but rather than waxing lyrically over a job well done, the drivers took pot shots at this year’s Pirellis.

“The whole category is geared around tyres at the moment,” Webber fumed despite topping the timesheets in the morning session ahead of Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus.

“Everything is around tyres. Tyres, tyres, tyre, tyres, tyres,” the Australian added, while noting the wet track following a downpour in the second session was “the only conditions the slicks work in”.

The Red Bulls locked up the front row in last week’s season-opener in Melbourne but their one-lap speed was negated by tyre degradation in long runs as Raikkonen took full advantage to romp to victory.

Vettel dropped from pole to third at Albert Park and while the German clocked the second fastest time of the day in Sepang yesterday behind Raikkonen, the triple world champion was less than enthused by his own battle with the Pirellis.

“It looked pretty OK but it was quite a mess if you look at how long the tyres lasted,” said Vettel, who complained over his team radio that the car was vibrating badly after 16 laps on the hard tyres in the morning.

“Today, tyre wear was pretty severe for everyone, so obviously you drive way under the potential of the car.

“I hope we have enough tyres to survive the race and it is not a lot of fun and that is how it is.”

Second free practice session

1. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland)Lotus - 1:36.569
2. Sebastian Vettel (Germany)Red Bull -  1:36.588
3. Felipe Massa (Brazil)Ferrari - 1:36.661
4. Fernando Alonso (Spain)Ferrari - 1:36.985
5. Mark Webber (Australia)Red Bull - 1:37.026
6. Romain Grosjean (France)Lotus - 1:37.206
7. Nico Rosberg (Germany)Mercedes - 1:37.448
8. Paul Di Resta (Britain)Force India  - 1:37.571
9. Lewis Hamilton (Britain)Mercedes - 1:37.574
10. Adrian Sutil (Germany)Force India  - 1:37.788
11. Sergio Perez (Mexico)McLaren - 1:37.838
12. Jenson Button (Britain)McLaren - 1:37.865
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany)Sauber  - 1:38.068
14. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico)Sauber  - 1:38.645
15. Jean-Eric Vergne (France)Toro Rosso  - 1:38.738
16. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela)Williams  - 1:38.801
17. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia)Toro Rosso  - 1:38.904
18. Jules Bianchi (France)Marussia  - 1:39.508
19. Valtteri Bottas (Finland)Williams  - 1:39.660
20. Charles Pic (France)Caterham  - 1:40.757
21. Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands)Caterham  - 1:40.768
22. Max Chilton (Britain)Marussia  - 1:41.438

Drivers Standings

1. Raikkonen 25; 2. Alonso 18; 3. Vettel 15; 4. Massa 12; 5. Hamilton 10; 6. Webber 8; 7. Sutil 6; 8. Di Resta 4; 9. Button 2; 10. Grosjean 1.

Constructors

1. Ferrari 30; 2. Lotus 26; 3. Red Bull 23; 4. Mercedes 10; 5. Force India10; 6. McLaren 2.

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