SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Lewis Hamilton topped Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg in the final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of qualifying on Saturday (August 22).
The defending Formula 1 champion will be seeking his 10th pole of the season for Sunday's race.
SCARY INCIDENT
Rosberg dominated the first two practice runs on Friday, despite a scary tiyre puncture in the afternoon session. But in the third run, Hamilton was faster by half a second.
Sebastian Vettel was third, ahead of Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Vettel is coming off a win in Hungary, the last race before the summer break.
Sergio Perez was fifth in his Force India, ahead of the Red Bull duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat.
Hamilton leads Rosberg by 21 points in the drivers' standings, with nine races left in the season.
2015 Belgian GP 3rd practice results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1min48.984
2. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1min49.482
3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1min49.629
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1min49.864
5. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - Mercedes 1min49.866
6. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull - Renault 1min49.930
7. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull - Renault 1min49.980
8. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India - Mercedes 1min50.000
9. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes 1min50.179
10. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 1min50.447
11. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso - Renault 1min50.552
12. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus - Mercedes 1min50.585
13. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso - Renault 1min50.599
14. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber - Ferrari 1min50.690
15. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - Ferrari 1min51.054
16. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus - Mercedes 1min51.187
17. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1min51.981
18. Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia - Ferrari 1min54.262
19. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia - Ferrari 1min54.281
20. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren