Free 3: Sebastian Vettel dominates final practice at Singapore

Sebastian Vettel has finished fastest during the final practice session ahead of qualifying for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. The Red Bull of Vettel was followed the by the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, with Fernando Alonso a close 3rd.

The Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen was the first car to leave the pits as many of the drivers immediately took to the Marina Bay street circuit to complete their installation laps, as Red Bull slapped on copious amounts of flo-vis paint to test their new front wing. Kamui Kobayashi set the initial pace in his Ferrari-powered Sauber C31, with a 01:56.339. The Japanese driver’s team-mate of Sergio Perez then momentarily went top, before the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen flew to the top of the timing sheets.

Nico Hulkenberg then took control of the session, as many drivers began completing timed laps as the sun began to set on the Marina Bay street circuit. Kimi Raikkonen was quick to reassert his authority over proceedings, as the ‘Iceman’ set a 01:52.018. As the likes of Hamilton and Button circulated the circuit, Championship leader Fernando Alonso remained in his garage as his mechanics frantically set to fixing an issue on the Ferrari.

As Sergio Perez clouted the armco barriers through turns 18 and 19, Nico Hulkenberg was able to return to the top of the timing sheets. Championship contender Lewis Hamilton was quick to make his mark of the session, as the 2008 World Champion set a 01:50.730. Jenson Button momentarily displaced his McLaren team-mate at the top of the timing sheets with a 01:50.524, as Mark Webber ran wide at turn 5. Lewis Hamilton almost instantly returned to the top with a 01:50.223, as the McLaren’s showed their pace at the sharp end of the field.

Timo Glock’s session was brought to a premature end as the session progressed, as the German driver came to a sudden halt at turn 20 with a suspected throttle issue. After his previous issues in the session, Fernando Alonso immediately went fastest with a 01:50.075 for the Scuderia. However, the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel was quick to assert his authority over proceedings as the Red Bull driver set 01:49.614.

As Sebastian Vettel showed further dominance at the sharp end of the field, his team-mate of Mark Webber slammed into the armco barrier through turns 18 and 19, picking up a puncture and most likely suspension damage on his Renault-powered machine. Vettel continued to set fastest laps at the top, with German setting a 01:47.947 on Pirelli’s super-soft tyre compound.

The final practice session was brought to an explosive conclusion, as the Caterham of Vitaly Petrov slammed into the wall throughout the final corner and spun. The Russian driver came to a halt at the entrance to the pit-lane, as the red flag was brought out as the session came to an end. This meant Sebastian Vettel’s time at the top remained fastest overall, ahead of the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

Sebastian Vettel has topped all three practice sessions at the Marina Bay street circuit, as the teams and drivers now prepare for the all-important qualifying hour later this evening. The reigning World Champion secured pole position last season at Singapore, and looks on course to once again start from pole in a race he desperately needs to win.

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