Free 3: Hamilton fastest as Vettel falters in final practice at Monza

Lewis Hamilton has ended the final practice session fastest in preparation for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, as the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel ground to a halt in the closing stages. The Briton was followed home by the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso, as the field prepared for the all-important qualifying session this afternoon.

As the session got underway, it was the Caterham of Heikki Kovalainen which led the field out to begin their preparations for this afternoon’s qualifying session. With the majority of the field completing installation laps, it was several minutes before the first time was set by the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg with a 01:30.583. This time was almost immediately bettered by the Sauber of Sergio Perez, who flew to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:26.620.

The Mexican driver then traded fastest times at the top with the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen, before Lewis Hamilton asserted his authority over proceedings with a 01:25.826. Sergio Perez momentarily dethroned the former World Champion, however Lewis Hamilton immediately returned to the top with a 01:25.165. The Briton wasted no time on capitalizing on this time, as Hamilton carried out further qualifying simulation runs and set the fastest time of the weekend with a 01:24.687.

Michael Schumacher was yesterday struck with a DRS failure during second practice, and this morning his woes continued as his Mercedes suffered a KERs failure. However, the German continued to rack up the miles albeit at a slight disadvantage. Local favorite Fernando Alonso then shot to the top with a 01:24.632, giving Ferrari and their adoring Tifosi masses renewed hope ahead of qualifying. Vitaly Petrov was one of many drivers pushing to the limits as the session progressed, as the Russian driver out-braked himself through turns 4 and 5, running through the tarmac run-off area.

Fernando Alonso was able to improve on his time at the top as the session entered its closing stages, before the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton flew to the top with a 01:24.578, only +0.001s faster than the Spaniard. Sebastian Vettel’s preparations then took a nose dive as the reigning World Champion was seen cruising to a halt at turns 4 and 5 with what looked like a mechanical issue. The German then confirmed an electrical fault on the car, before jumping out of his car.

With yellow flags fluttering through turns 4 and 5, no-one was able to greatly improve throughout the final minutes of the session. This left Lewis Hamilton fastest ahead of the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso as the checkered emerged, signaling the end of the final practice ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and McLaren look blisteringly quick, however the local Scuderia will be eager to thwart their age-old rivals.

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