Sebastian Vettel signalled his intent to oust Fernando Alonso at the top of the Formula One championship table, driving the fastest lap in practice at the Korean Grand Prix on Friday.

The Red Bull driver is four points behind Ferrari’s Alonso going into Sunday’s race.

Vettel, the man in form after imperious back-to-back victories in Singapore and then Japan last Sunday, clocked a time of one minute 38.832 seconds in the second session, just 0.032 seconds ahead of teammate Mark Webber.

Spaniard Alonso, desperate to get back among the points after a first-lap retirement in Japan, registered the third-fastest time, 0.328 seconds slower than his title rival.

The McLaren of Jenson Button was fourth fastest followed by the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher, Felipe Massa in a Ferrari and Schumacher’s teammate Nico Rosberg.

Briton Lewis Hamilton, quickest in the first session at a cool but sunny Yeongam, could only managed eighth fastest in the afternoon.