Free 3: Jenson Button fastest in overcast final practice at Brazil

Jenson Button has ended the final practice session of the season fastest overall, ahead of Championship leader Sebastian Vettel and the German’s team-mate Mark Webber. The leading trio were followed by Lewis Hamilton and Romain Grosjean, with Fernando Alonso only managing 8th fastest for Ferrari.

In stark contrast to Friday’s glorious sunshine, Saturday dawned with much lower temperatures and overcast weather conditions. With rain a threat for the race on Sunday, and possibly even qualifying later in the day, the majority of the drivers instantly took to the Interlagos circuit once the session began. Heikki Kovalainen led out a long queue of drivers, with track temperature down 14 degrees from yesterday. This drop in track temperature meant the drivers were eager to return to the circuit.

Although the majority of the drivers initially completed installation laps, the Mercedes duo of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg went straight out and completed timed laps, with the latter setting the initial pace with a 01:20.153. The duo traded fastest times throughout the early stage of the session, before Kimi Raikkonen suffered his first technical glitch of the season as his Renault engine expired down the back straight in a great plume of white smoke.

This greatly compromised the Finn’s preparations for qualifying, as the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button rose to the top with the latter setting a 01:14.419. McLaren have looked in command all weekend, and remained the dominant Constructor as the session progressed as the duo continued to battle for supremacy at the top. Eventually Jenson Button set a 01:13.858, as Sebastian Vettel slotted into 2nd position.

As the session progressed, it was confirmed by Lotus that Kimi Raikkonen’s machine had suffered a loss of oil pressure, which resulted in the Finn’s spectacular engine failure. As Raikkonen sat mournfully at the side of the track, Michael Schumacher became the first driver to opt for the medium tyre compound, however the German’s initial run of the tyre was severely compromised as Bruno Senna spun at the final corner and nearly collected the Mercedes of Schumacher.

Nico Hulkenberg stormed to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:13.623, as the Force India driver reaped the benefits of the medium tyre compound. However, his reign at the top was short-lived as team-mate Paul di Resta momentarily rose to the top before Jenson Button reasserted his authority over proceedings with a superlative 01:13.192, which the Briton was able to marginally improve upon with a 01:13.188. Lewis Hamilton was unable to match his team-mates pace, as Sebastian Vettel slotted back into 2nd position for Red Bull.

With dark clouds looming ominously overhead, the afternoon’s qualifying session could well be plagued with inclement weather conditions. McLaren look the dominant team after the opening three practice sessions, however Red Bull are never too far behind as this thrilling Championship nears its conclusion. Fernando Alonso could only manage 8th, as he strives to catch Sebastian Vettel in the Drivers’ Championship. With rain forecast for the race on Sunday, this afternoon’s qualifying session will unquestionably be the most intense of the season.

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