Sebastian Vettel was just over 0.1s quicker than his team-mate Mark Webber © Sutton Images
Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time of the final free practice session for the German Grand Prix, edging out his team-mate Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
Vettel's time of 1:30.916 was the quickest of the weekend and 0.133s quicker than Webber, who lost time behind the championship leader during the final sector of his best lap. Alonso was third, 0.222s further back as it appears to be a three-horse race for pole position during qualifying.
Lewis Hamilton was fourth with a 1:31.578 as McLaren edged slightly closer to the front two, with Jenson Button fifth, 0.045s slower than his team-mate. Nico Rosberg also showed improved pace in the Mercedes to set the sixth fastest time, less than 0.8s slower than Vettel. There was then a 0.5s gap to Felipe Massa in seventh as he appeared to be running a heavier fuel load to Alonso.
Low temperatures caused a few issues for the drivers as the air temperature never rose above 13 degrees, and Nico Rosberg was told over the radio that it would take three to four laps to get the best out of the medium tyre. Karun Chandhok struggled on the cold tyres as he had a spin applying power on the exit of the chicane, similar to his one in Melbourne, and then ended the session walking back to the pits having spun at high speed through turn eight.
It proved a difficult session for Lotus as a hydraulic problem with Heikki Kovalainen's car meant the team had to work on the rear of the car from the green light, losing 25 minutes in total. Behind him in the standings it seemed very close between the Virgins and Tonio Liuzzi, but a gearbox change in his HRT means he will incur a five place grid penalty.
Although soft tyre runs started earlier than usual in the hour long session as the teams feared some potential late rain it remained dry for the full hour, but showers are forecast this afternoon and could make qualifying a lottery.
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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