Mark Webber fastest in Free Practice 3

Mark Webber set the pace in the final practice session ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

With a late run on the softer tyre, the local driver became the first man to dip under the 1’25 bracket. He clocked a 1’24’’719 fastest lap time to end the session on top ahead of former World Champions Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.

In the second Red Bull Racing car, Sebastian Vettel was fourth fastest but unable to break the 1’25 barrier. The German was 0.4s slower than his Australian team mate but was faster than Nico Rosberg- once again beaten by Schumacher – and both McLaren Mercedes of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Early pace-setter Felipe Massa was only ninth fastest, sandwiched between the Force Indias of Sutil and Liuzzi.

Robert Kubica was thirteenth fastest for Renault.

In the battle of the new teams, Lotus once again leads the way with Virgin and HRT following.