Free 3: Red Bull end final practice fastest overall at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel sets the pace during final practice ahead of qualifying

The Red Bull duo of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have ended the final practice session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix fastest, with the reigning World Champion setting the fastest time in the dying minutes of the final session. The Milton Keynes-based outfit were followed home in 3rd by the Ferrari of Felipe Massa.

The third and final practice session of the weekend got underway in slightly cooler conditions that the previous day, with the Finn’s of Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen the first two drivers to take to the Suzuka circuit as the session began. The majority of the drivers completed only installation laps to begin with, however the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg decided to set the first timed lap of the day with a 01:43.486.

The 27-year-old German improved on his initial time next time around, before team-mate Michael Schumacher asserted his authority over proceedings with a 01:34.234. The seven-time World Champion then improved upon his time with a 01:34.008, as the likes of Narain Karthikeyan and Heikki Kovalainen skipped through the gravel at turns 8 and 9. As the majority of the field returned to the circuit, Pastor Maldonado stormed to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:33.999 to displace the Mercedes of Schumacher.

The McLaren duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton then momentarily went fastest respectively, before the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel made his mark on proceedings with a 01:33.215. The Red Bull driver has looked in good shape this weekend, and will be aiming for his fourth successive pole position at Suzuka during qualifying later in the day.

As the Mercedes and Ferrari duo opted for the soft Pirelli tyre compound, Nico Hulkenberg brought his session to a premature end as he lost the rear of his Force India through turn 9 and embedded himself into the retaining barriers. This will now add extra pressure onto his Force India mechanics, as they aim to rebuild his machine in time for qualifying later in the day.

Once the stricken Force India of Hulkenberg was cleared by the ever-efficient Japanese marshals, Michael Schumacher returned to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:32.918. The German was one of the first drivers to switch from the hard to the soft Pirelli tyre compound, and will be striving to redeem himself after his incident during practice two yesterday.

As final session drew to a close, the majority of the drivers took to the track to complete their final preparations ahead of qualifying. Both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton’s laps were impeded by slower moving cars throughout the final few corners, with the latter being forced to cut the final chicane due to the slow moving Marussia of Charles Pic. Whilst several drivers jostled for track position, Mark Webber flew to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:32.371.

In the dying seconds of the session, reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel went fastest overall with a 01:32.136. The German driver was followed home by team-mate Mark Webber, with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa a distant 3rd. With all three practice sessions now over, the teams and drivers will be striving to make several last minute changes to their cars before the all-important qualifying session which will determine the grid for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix.

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