Free 3: Jenson Button returns to the top at Valencia

Jenson Button has ended the final practice session ahead of this afternoons qualifying session for this weekends European Grand Prix fastest, ahead of the Lotus duo of Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen. With many teams making their final alterations for qualifying, this was a typically busy practice session.

The session got underway in hotter conditions than yesterday, as Force India’s Paul di Resta became the first driver to leave the pits at the start of the session. In traditional practice session fashion, the drivers completed installation laps to begin with. It was 15 minutes before the first timed lap of the session was set, which occurred when Romain Grosjean clocked a 01:40.136.

Once Grosjean completed the first timed lap of the session, the track gradually became busier as more and more drivers left the pits to set their timed laps. Grosjean’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen went fastest with a 01:39.796, with the Lotus duo tipped for a possible victory once again this weekend.

The times began to tumble as the session progressed and the teams gradually began qualifying simulations for later in the day, as Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado and Sebastian Vettel all shared the top spot. Eventually, the soft tyre compound was seen being used, as Grosjean became the first driver to opt for the yellow side-walled compound. This enabled the Frenchman to return to the top with a 01:38.655. Whilst Grosjean reaped the rewards from the softer tyre at the front of the pack, local hero Pedro de la Rosa suffered yet another dismal session at the back for HRT. The Spaniard spun his HRT into the final corner, yet miraculously failed to make contact with the wall.

Pedro de la Rosa wasn’t the only driver suffering throughout the final session, as Monaco Grand Prix winner Mark Webber was seen walking disconsolately away from his Red Bull, as the team announced he would take no further action in the session. This was due to a brake issue, as the Red Bull mechanics quickly set to fixing the issue ahead of the all-important qualifying hour.

Whilst Webber’s day failed to improve in the pits, many drivers were now opting for the softer Pirelli tyre compound and completing qualifying simulations. Jenson Button stormed to the top with a 01:38.562, surprising many after a torrid race weekend in Canada last time out. With Mark Webber out of the session, his team-mate Sebastian Vettel also suffered a dismal end to the session, running wide at turn 2 and ruining his only chance to return to the top.

With all three practice sessions now completed, all eyes now turn to the all-important qualifying session. With three of the past four winners of the European Grand Prix at this track starting from pole, the emphasis on starting at the front is greater than ever. However, who will be the lucky driver at the end of the three-part qualifying session?

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