Vettel quickest in Singapore Grand Prix practice

SINGAPORE (AFP) –

Red Bull-Renault driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany negotiates a turn during the third practice session at Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix. Vettel underlined his resurgent pace as he timed quickest in a crash-hit third and final practice for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel underlined his resurgent pace Saturday as he timed quickest in a crash-hit third and final practice for the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, seeking to mount a late charge for his third successive title, clocked 1min 47.947sec at dusk around the glittering street circuit ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and championship leader Fernando Alonso.

Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber punctured a back tyre in a collision with the barriers, and Caterham’s Russian driver Vitaly Petrov brought an early halt to the session when he also hit the side and span into the centre of the track.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg was fourth quickest ahead of Lotus’s former world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, Alonso’s team-mate at Ferrari. Paul di Resta, Nico Rosberg, Bruno Senna and Michael Schumacher completed the top 10.

With seven races to go, Alonso leads the standings ahead of Hamilton, who has won two of the last three races. Raikkonen is third and fourth-placed Vettel, the sport’s youngest double world champion, trails the leader by 39 points.