Major teams go easy on engines in opening Aussie GP practice

World champions Ferrari eased into the Australian Formula One Grand Prix with limited time on the track.

World champions Ferrari eased into the Australian Formula One Grand Prix with limited time on the track early on Friday in opening practice ahead of Sunday's race.

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Red Bull's third driver Vitantonio Liuzzi set the fastest time ahead of McLaren's third driver Pedro De La Rosa in uneventful practice.

Red Bull is making its F1 debut after taking over the Jaguar team at the end of last season. Liuzzi clocked a fastest lap of one minute 25.967 seconds.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher drove three warm-up laps without registering a time while team-mate Rubens Barrichello had only five laps.

Under new season regulations, all F1 teams must keep the same engine for two race weekends.