There was rain forecast for Free Practice Friday but none materialised over the Nüburgring circuit. Fernando Alonso got his weekend off to a terrible start, after his Ferrari slowed to a stop out on track on his very first lap. 40 minutes later, he was going again, but the same problem occurred. This time he got back to the garage, but he failed to set a time in the session. Meanwhile, Mercedes were on top again, with Lewis Hamilton fastest, Nico Rosberg behind - both nearly a second faster than third place Mark Webber.