Vettel tops wet final Chinese GP practice

Sebastian Vettel set the quickest time in a very wet final practice session in Shanghai in which both Mercedes drivers opted not to attempt a timed lap.

The Ferrari driver topped the times on Intermediate tyres from Valtteri Bottas’s Williams. Eight drivers failed to set timed laps in the tricky conditions, including both Mercedes drivers, both McLarens and both Red Bulls.

Saturday’s running began in torrid conditions as the expected rain arrived in full force, leaving the Shanghai International Circuit totally sodden as the final practice session began.

With the track soaked, teams were understandably resistant to venture out. Fifteen minutes into the session, the rain stopped and the Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa became the first to take to the circuit on full wets for a single exploratory lap.

No further rain was now expected for the remainder of the session, which encouraged some running. The two Mercedes each made a single run but failed to set a timed lap.

Following Kevin Magnussen’s suspension failure on Friday, a right rear puncture for Jolyon Palmer in the wet was further cause for concern for Renault, but the British driver later rejoined the session.

As the standing water on track began to be dispersed, those who were on track gradually switched to Intermediates. Sebastian Vettel set what would turn out to be the fastest time of the session with a 1’57.351 on his first timed lap on the Intermediate tyres.

There were no times set by both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, by neither of the McLaren drivers nor the Red Bull pair. Romain Grosjean also failed to set a time, while Marcus Ericsson did not leave the pits at all after Sauber suffered an undisclosed problem with his car.

With more rain expected, it is likely that conditions will remain similarly tricky heading into qualifying.

Third practice visual gaps

Combined results