SEPANG, Malaysia (Reuters) -
Webber endured a disappointing season-opening race in Melbourne, finishing well behind team mate Sebastian Vettel down in fifth place, but made good on his promise to arrive in Malaysia with a far more competitive car.
Completing 22 laps in overcast but dry conditions, Webber led home McLaren's Lewis Hamilton by 1.665 seconds as a majority of the big teams opted to use the session to fine-tune their settings after a two-week layoff.
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher clocked the third fastest time, 2.140 seconds behind Webber, late in the session, with Force India reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg showing good pace to finish just behind him.
Melbourne winner and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel had a subdued session, completing just 18 laps and languishing in 17th place almost four seconds behind Webber.
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The Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso clocked the sixth and ninth fastest times respectively, ahead of the second McLaren and 2009 race winner Jenson Button, who recorded the 15th quickest lap.
Williams were confident of a good showing around the demanding Sepang circuit and rookie Pastor Maldonado spent a majority of the session near the top of the standings, the Venezuelan eventually settling for a solid fifth place.
However, two drivers who will be hoping for better luck in the second session later Friday are Renault's Vitaly Petrov and Belgian rookie Jerome d'Ambrosio in his Virgin.
Petrov enjoyed the best race of his career when he finished third in Melbourne, but completed only four laps around the Sepang circuit before sliding off the track following the short straight into turn nine with a left-front wheel failure.
D'Ambrosio appeared to suffer a collapse of his front suspension down the long straight heading into turn 15 and slid into the gravel trap.
