World champion edges out Rosberg in private Mercedes duel; Vettel third but has gearbox penalty; Jenson Button eighth for McLaren
Saturday 30 April 2016 15:27, UK
Lewis Hamilton remained on top at the Russian GP in Practice Three after a session-long battle for supremacy with Nico Rosberg, setting up the likelihood of a closely-fought all-Mercedes duel for pole.
The triple world champion had set the Friday pace but came under renewed attack from Rosberg on Saturday morning as the Mercedes W07 again proved untouchable around the Sochi Autodrom.
Trading fastest times on the supersoft tyres throughout the hour-long session, Hamilton usurped Rosberg in the closing minutes via a best lap of 1:36.403.
However, the championship-leading Rosberg remained just 0.068s adrift in the final reckoning, despite making several errors during the session as drivers again struggled for grip.
"That is a very close battle between Hamilton and Rosberg," said Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft. "It seems as though the Mercedes' are going to be going for pole themselves."
Despite introducing an upgraded engine this weekend, Ferrari have yet to show they are capable of taking it to the world champions on outright pace and finished P3 in familiar third and fourth positions.
But the team already know they will not lock out the second row on Sunday's grid after a five-place gearbox change penalty was confirmed for Sebastian Vettel on Friday night.
When is Russian GP Qualy and Race?
The German finished third, six tenths back on Hamilton, having spent the start of the session on heavier-fuel long runs with 20 laps on used supersoft tyres.
Once onto shorter runs, Vettel was twice frustrated by the sister Ferrari of Raikkonen - with the German waving a hand in his team-mate's direction after being overtaken near the pits.
And then Vettel had to have his wits about him when leaving the Ferrari garage when a mechanic inadvertently waved him into the path of an oncoming Hamilton.
Behind the established top two teams, Williams appear primed for a more competitive weekend with Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas finishing in fifth and sixth positions respectively.
With Red Bull - the third-fastest team so far this season - not faring as well in P3, Max Verstappen was seventh for sister team Toro Rosso, while eighth-fastest Jenson Button gave McLaren-Honda hope that this could be the weekend they finally break their long Q3 duck.
Practice Three timesheet
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:36.403
2. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:36.471
3. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:37.007
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:37.727
5. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:37.918
6. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:37.985
7. Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1:38.133
8. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:38.260
9. Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso, 1:38.465
10. Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:38.542
11. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:38.622
12. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1:38.633
13. Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, 1:39.047
14. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:39.162
15. Esteban Gutierrez, Haas, 1:39.230
16. Kevin Magnussen, Renault, 1:39.238
17. Romain Grosjean, Haas, 1:39.239
18. Jolyon Palmer, Renault, 1:39.589
19. Rio Haryanto, Manor, 1:39.599
20. Pascal Wehrlein, Manor, 1:39.663
21. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, 1:39.740
22. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1:39.898
Watch the whole Russian GP weekend - LIVE ONLY on Sky Sports F1. The race begins at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up from 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.
