Formula One news

Rosberg still on top in final practice

Nico Rosberg has continued his great start to the 2009 campaign by topping the third and final practice session on Saturday afternoon in Australia. The German has been quickest in all three sessions so far this weekend although, with less than a second covering just twelve drivers in the last session, it is looking as though qualifying could still go the way of any one of a number of drivers.

Kubica improved to 9th position for BMW-Sauber

With the fastest lap being a 1.25.808, the same two teams were behind the German's Williams, despite being in a different order compared to yesterday; with Trulli's Toyota just three thousands of a second slower and Jenson Button in third. Felipe Massa showed hope for Ferrari with fourth position as Nakajima sucessfully got two Williams into the top five. Barrichello was sixth for Brawn ahead of Webber and Glock, with the two BMWs posting last gasp laps to move them into ninth and tenth, with Kubica the quicker this time; it was in fact the first time one of the white cars has been in top ten in practice in Australia.

The two McLarens finished 11th and 12th with Kovalainen once again ahead of World Champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton, as less than a second coverered the first twelve drivers. Sebastian Vettel suffered from yet more frustration as the German damaged the underneath of his car by running wide and bumping across the Turn 1 gravel trap - perhaps an agressive race strategy could be used by him to attemp to compensate for the lost setup time throughout practice.

Sutil was the leading Force India in 14th ahead of Toro Rosso drivers Bourdais and Buemi. Fernando Alonso was one and a half seconds off the pace in 17th so it is likely Renault are concentrating on race setup at the moment, with team-mate Piquet 19th and Fisichella's Force India between them. 2007 champion, Kimi Räikkönen, had the most disappointing session of anybody, as the Ferrari stopped on track with hydraulics problems on only his sixth lap.

Heikki Kovalainen spins at Turn 4

The Finn could now fuel lighter than team-mate Massa in a bid to get further up the grid on Sunday, as he tried to make up lost ground.

Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix is due to start at 5pm local time (GMT+11), and can be followed live on GPUpdate.net. Also, for those in Europe, be sure not to forget the change in time early tomorrow morning as the clocks go forward by one hour.

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage