Japanese GP Practice 3: Nico Rosberg top as Lewis Hamilton crashes
German almost a second clear as Mercedes team-mate hits tyre wall
Friday 17 October 2014 17:23, UK
Nico Rosberg was fastest in final practice at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday as Lewis Hamilton crashed out.
The Silver Arrows had dominated even more than usual during Friday practice and again ended up one-two, pointing towards the likelihood of another front-row lock-out in qualifying.
However, with attention generally cast elsewhere during the hour - Red Bull announced the news that Sebastian Vettel is leaving them at the end of the season shortly before the session started - all eyes were back on track during the closing minutes when Hamilton left the track at Turn 1.
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The current title leader appeared to outbrake himself entering the corner, with the speed of the number 44 Mercedes taking it over the run-off and into the gravel.
It ended up in the tyre wall and although the impact was not heavy, it ensured a busy couple of hours for Mercedes' mechanics ahead of qualifying.
With Rosberg ending up 0.982s faster than Hamilton, Fernando Alonso was third fastest for Ferrari ahead of Williams pair Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.
The top ten was completed by Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), Kevin Magnussen (McLaren), Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso), Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) and Jenson Button (McLaren).
World Champion Vettel, meanwhile, wound up 15th fastest.
