Vettel gets back on top in final practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Hungary, Hungaroring

Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in the final free practice session ahead of qualifying for the Hungarian GP. The German went quicker than Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton who topped FP1 and FP2 was unable to set a competitive time on the suprersoft tyres and therefore could not match the front runners.

Halfway through the session, Sebastian Vettel was fastest with a 1:22.021 on the soft yellow marked tyres. With that he was still half a second off his FP2 pace.

As usual, in the final quarter, cars were fitted with the softer compound, here at Hungary that is the Pirelli super soft, marked with red letters.

Alonso in his Ferrari is the first to improve by setting a 1:21.449. The Spaniard continued on the tyres for another lap but then was unable to improve on his own time again, suggesting that the super softs at this track are optimal for just one single flying lap.

Meanwhile, just like on Friday, many drivers found themselves going a bit too wide in turn 6 and turn 7, but due to the tarmac run-off area in these corners that doesn't pose much problems.

When Hamilton tried a flying lap on the super softs, he immediately went straight through in turn 1. He did not miss his braking point, but his report to the team noting that his brakes didn't work indicate he has not gotten them up to temperature during the out-lap. One lap later he made another attempt and locked the right front tyre, creating another flat spot.

One minute from the end Vettel set the best time yet again. Mark Webber failed to improve his own, so Alonso is second fastest, Button third in this final practice ahead of qualifying.

Towards the back of the grid, the interesting point can be found at Team Lotus where Trulli was again faster than teammate Kovalainen. The Italian struggled all year through with the steering of the car, but now that seems to be resolved, Trulli appears to be more confident in the car.