Share

Vettel stays on top at Monza

MONZA, Italy - Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel lapped fastest in final practice for the 2013 Italian F1 GP on Saturday with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, his closest title rival, close behind.

Vettel, a triple F1 champion, set himself up for qualifying with a fastest lap of 1min24.360 at Ferrari's home circuit near Milan.

Alonso's best was 1min:24.643, the Spaniard splitting the Red Bull drivers on the time sheets. Australian Mark Webber was third for Red Bull.

EIGHT TO GO

Lewis Hamilton, who will be chasing a fifth successive pole, was fourth-quickest for Mercedes but team mate Nico Rosberg had an hydraulics problem and was last after getting in only five laps.

Vettel, who was also fastest in Friday's second practice, has a 46-point lead over Alonso with eight races, including Sunday's remaining.

Force India's Paul di Resta crashed at the Parabolica. The Briton was unhurt.

Times from third practice ahead of 2013 Italian F1 GP
1 Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull 1min24.360
2 Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1min24.643
3 Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull 1min24.677
4 Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1min24.712
5 Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 1min24.864
6 Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso 1min24.865
7 Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1min24.995
8 Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1min25.103
9 Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams 1min25.116
10 Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus 1min25.120
11 Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso 1min25.136
12 Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber 1min25.273
13 Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber 1min25.324
14 Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus 1min25.499
15 Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams 1min25.660
16 Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India 1min25.702
17 Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India 1min26.120
18 Charles Pic (France) Caterham 1min26.607
19 Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands) Caterham 1min27.172
20 Jules Bianchi (France) Marussia 1min27.605
21 Max Chilton (Britain) Marussia 1min27.665
22 Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1min27.822

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Italian F1 GP weekend.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()