Vettel on top in final practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Great Britain, Silverstone Circuit

Vettel put his Red Bull on top in a wet, but rather uneventful free practice 3. Conditions were very difficult, with a lot of drivers going wide or simply skidding off the track.

The practice started in slightly damp conditions, but with additional rain to be expected, a lot of the drivers took the chance to do some installation laps before conditions worsen. Even on intermediate tyres, the track was quite tricky.

The wet conditions ruined Hamilton’s hope on having a dry race-run, since he didn’t have the opportunity either yesterday’s practice due an engine issue. He did try to make the most of it by doing some practice starts.

In the meanwhile, Caterham and Toro Rosso put the first times on the table. Most other teams stay inside. With the track starting to become too dry for intermediates, but with more rain incoming, things are very unpredictable.

Almost halfway round the session, Nico Rosberg made a flying lap, looking to put himself on top of the timetable, going purple in sector 1 and 2. He however went back to the pits and didn’t come out again, with conditions rapidly degrading.

A little bit over the halfway point, Romain Grosjean had a spin coming out of the corner to the start-finish straight, keeping his car just out of the wall.
In the meanwhile, Vettel took over top position from Ricciardo. Lewis look set to be beat, but went wide.

With 17 minutes to go, Bianchi missed his braking point, ploughed through the graining and halted in the barrier. Moments before, Sutil had the error and the same place, but managed to keep away from the barrier and continued.

Not really much that happens in the last 20 minutes. Sauber puts in a genuine effort, but with conditions ever worsening, Vettel’s time never came in danger anymore.