Free 3: Sebastian Vettel ends final practice fastest in Spain

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel has ended the final practice session fastest in preparation for tomorrows Spanish Grand Prix, only a tenth ahead of the Williams of Pastor Maldonado. The Venezuelan driver completed a rather impressive time towards the end of the session, with uncertainties still surrounding the true pace of the field.

As the session got underway, it was Kamui Kobayashi and Heikki Kovalainen who were first out as the majority of the field set to completing their installation laps. It was a slow start to the session, as the drivers’ played the waiting game with the track still rather dirty after the mornings GP3 qualifying session.

However, once Charles Pic set the first timed lap with a 01:28.495, the times quickly began to tumble as the rest of the field followed suit. Daniel Ricciardo quickly beat Pic’s early pace with a 01:27.907 as Romain Grosjean was seen slowly rolling backwards at turn 10. This unfortunate issue caused Grosjean to miss the rest of the session, with the Frenchman failing to set a time.

Nico Rosberg brought the times down to a 01:25.158, before Sergio Perez went blisteringly quick with a 01:24.554. Lewis Hamilton, who has yet to win around the Circuit de Catalunya, had a nervy moment through turn 3. The 2008 World Champion almost lost the car on the marbles, which saw him run extremely wide on the tarmac run-off.

The times continued to get quicker as the session wore on, with both Nico Rosberg, Jean-Eric Vergne and Sergio Perez setting quick times respectively. Worried faces were spotted down at Red Bull, as Sebastian Vettel’s session was momentarily suspended as the mechanics discovered a problem with a control unit beneath the German’s seat. This issue was quickly resolved, as Vettel returned to the track shortly after.

Kamui Kobayashi went quickest as the session entered its closing stages, briefly making it a Sauber 1-2 on the timing sheets. This was ended when Pastor Maldonado set a spectacular lap with a 01:23.350, a time which even his team-mate Bruno Senna was unable to match. With many drivers now taking to the track with the soft Pirelli tyres and low fuel loads, it was no surprise when Sebastian Vettel eventually crossed the line with a 01:23.168. However, this time was only a tenth ahead of the Williams

Timo Glock suffered a dismal end to his session, as the German driver stopped his Marussia at the end of the pit-lane. Glock’s left rear tyre was seen working its way loose on a replay, which could have resulted in a very serious incident had it occurred through turn 3 and not turn 16.

The drivers’ have now completed all three practice sessions, and will now be preparing for the all-important qualifying session. With all but one of the previous winners’ around the Circuit de Catalunya coming from the front row of the grid, pole position at this track is a good omen for tomorrows race.

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