Free 3: Hamilton fastest as McLaren finish top in China

After the dreary conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday for the Friday practice sessions’, sunshine was forcing its way through the cloud cover as third practice got underway for the Chinese Grand Prix. The one hour session is the last chance for the teams’ to alter their setups prior to qualifying and the race.

The Caterham of Heikki Kovalainen was first out as the session got underway, and was quickly followed by the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi and the HRT of Narain Karthikeyan. All of the drivers’ up and down the grid eventually joined the track, all completing their installation laps before returning to the pits.

Narain Karthikeyan set the first timed lap of the day, with a 01:43.624 which was immediately beaten by Romain Grosjean and then Sergio Perez as the majority of the field took to the track to set their first timed laps of the day. Kimi Raikkonen wasted no time in setting a quick time, as the Iceman shot to the top with a 01:37.276 with the two Mercedes’ of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg slotting into 2nd and 3rd behind the Finn.

It wasn’t long before the Mercedes’ began setting much quicker times, as Nico Rosberg went quickest with a 01:36.985 before the Red Bull of Mark Webber went a tenth quicker. The other Red Bull of reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel had a dismal session, as his mechanics were forced to make a rear torsion bar change on the car. This lost Vettel valuable track time, as the double World Champion’s season continued its unnaturally uncompetitive streak.

As the session wore on, many drivers’ began opting for the softer Pirelli tyre and qualifying simulation runs. 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher was the first driver to utilize the softer compound, flying straight to the top with a 01:36.512. However, his reign at the top was short-lived as Nico Rosberg went several tenths quicker almost instantly.

With the majority of the pack now using the softer compound, the McLaren of Jenson Button went fastest with only 10 minutes remaining in the session, before Lewis Hamilton became the only driver to enter the 01:35s with a 01:35.940. Whilst the McLaren’s and the Mercedes’ exchanged fastest laps atop the timing sheets, the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso was loosing out as his mechanics carried out a front suspension change. Ferrari, however, are not expecting to be competitive this weekend, even though they won last time out in Malaysia.

As the checkered flag emerged signaling the end of the session, Paul di Resta had a last minute scare as his Force India became unstable over the bumps under braking for turn 14. The car twitched and nearly pitched di Resta into the wall, with an excellent helmet camera shot portraying the heart-in-the-mouth moment for the Scot.

With all three practice sessions now over, it’s crunch time in China as the teams’ and drivers’ prepare for the all important qualifying session which will determine the grid for tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix.

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