• Spanish Grand Prix - FP3

Vettel maintains practice dominance

Sebastian Vettel was fastest for the second session in a row in Spain © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Spanish Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton
• |
• Sebastian Vettel
• |
• Mark Webber

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo
• |
• Ferrari
• |
• HRT
• |
• McLaren
• |
• Mercedes
• |
• Racing Point
• |
• Red Bull
• |
• Renault
• |
• Team Lotus
• |
• Toro Rosso
• |
• Virgin
• |
• Williams

Sebastian Vettel underlined Red Bull's dominance during practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, setting a time 0.704 faster than anyone else in the final session before qualifying.

Vettel set the pace in Friday's session, and although he did not match his time from second practice, the RB6 still looks untouchable heading into the crucial qualifying session. Team-mate Mark Webber was second fastest but aborted his hot lap and returned to the pits to the surprise of his mechanics. The car did not have any obvious problems but it could be a concern for the Australian, who looked unhappy getting out of the car with three minutes of practice remaining.

A tenth of a second off Webber was Lewis Hamilton, who again had the edge over his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button. The pair were separated by just 0.028 on their soft-tyre laps but neither looked capable of troubling Vettel. Michael Schumacher maintained his good form from Friday afternoon, setting the fifth fastest time 0.4 seconds up on his team-mate Rosberg. Schumacher has had the edge on Rosberg all weekend and looks capable of beating him in qualifying for the first time this season.

Splitting the two Mercedes was the Ferrari of Felipe Massa who was 1.2 seconds off the fastest lap set by Vettel. Team-mate and home favourite Fernando Alonso was a further 0.3 seconds adrift, after failing to improve his time when he bolted on soft tyres towards the end of the session.

The track was dry throughout the hour but overnight rain had left water in the kerbing all around the circuit. Rookies Vitaly Petrov and Kamui Kobayashi both got caught out by the slippery kerbing entering turn four and had separate accidents within seconds of each other. Petrov came off worse, smashing into the barrier and demolishing the rear and front wings of his car. Just like in China three weeks ago, the Renault mechanics will have a big job on their hands to repair the car in time for qualifying.

A reward for all their effort might come in the form of a good lap from Robert Kubica, who was again in touch with the big four teams in ninth position. One place behind him was Adrian Sutil, but the Force India driver stopped out on track in the closing stages with a loss of power.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.