Formula One: Nasty scare for Buemi in Shanghai

REIGNING world champion Jenson Button set the pace in first practice for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix but it was Sebastien Buemi who provided the drama after the Toro Rosso driver was involved in a frightening accident.

With just under 15 minutes remaining the Swiss racer caused the session to be temporarily halted after both front wheels parted company with his car as he braked at the end of the long back straight, leaving him to skid off the track and into the gravel trap on his two remaining wheels at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Meanwhile, Button had topped the timesheets midway through the session in his McLaren before improving with a time of one minute 36.677 seconds to ensure he stayed just ahead of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.

The German prevented McLaren from dominating the session as he edged out Lewis Hamilton and got the better of his team-mate Michael Schumacher, with the seven-time world champion fourth fastest.

Malaysian Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel was fifth in his Red Bull.

Fernando Alonso, who was forced to retire from ninth in Malaysia due to an engine problem, had seen his practice session come to an end with 40 minutes remaining after the Spaniard came to a halt near turn six with flames emanating from the exhaust of his F10.

Hamilton had been first to record a timed lap when he clocked 1:41.819 seven minutes into the session

Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta had been one of the first out on the circuit and topped the times with half an hour gone with a lap of 1:39.101.

But it was not long before the leading drivers began to set the pace and Hamilton again went fastest before Button usurped his team-mate. The 30-year-old then improved his time further to ensure his place at the top of the order remained unchallenged.