Alonso remains on top

The afternoon practice session was a busier affair as all the teams were eager to collect as much data as possible to prepare tomorrow’s qualifying and Sunday’s race.

With rain looming, they could not afford to lose too much time and they quickly sent their cars on track. HRT’s Senna and Chandhok led the field out of the pits while Robert Kubica battled it out at the front with the Red Bulls of Vettel and Webber.

The Ferraris of Massa and Alonso stormed at the front with less than an hour remaining. Having set the fastest time in the morning, the Spaniard resumed his domination with a 1’14’’904 lap time. As they entered the last fifteen minutes of Friday’s practice, Alonso was leading Rosberg and Vettel by less than 0.2s.

Some drops of rain meant none of the leading drivers was able to improve at the end of the session. So it was Alonso who ended on top with Rosberg and Vettel on his tail. Massa and Schumacher rounded off the top five while Robert Kubica was sixth for Renault.

Lewis Hamilton was seventh. Sutil, Button and Webber completed the top ten.

Kovalainen won Lotus the battle of the new teams by lapping a few tenths quicker than Virgin’s di Grassi. Bruno Senna was 24th and last, seven seconds off the pace.

There was no major drama during this session although some drivers brushed the barriers.