Rosberg stays ahead in damp final practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Japan, Circuit Suzuka

The final practice ahead of qualifying kicked off with a damp track that slowly dried throughout the session. While it complicated things for the drivers, the end result was still the same with Nico Rosberg continuing to be fastest, just like he did on Friday's sessions.

The conditions of the track forced drivers to venture out on intermediates early on in the session, but as the situation gradually improved, the best times were set in the closing stages when drivers switched to the soft tyres, which are expected to be the preferred tyre for qualifying as well.

The slightly cooler conditions also didn't seem to harm the performance of the Mercedes, with Rosberg eventually setting the fastest time of the weekend so far to go fastest. Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull meanwhile confirmed that the blue cars are not to be ignored at Suzuka. Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg ended up third and fourth fastest, both slightly more than 6 tenths down on the pace setter.

Lewis Hamilton didn't get farther than 7th due to a mistake at Degner on his best effort whereas Carlos Sainz was even worse off as mechanical issues sidelined him following his installation.