Alonso trumps Massa in China F1 GP final practice

SHANGHAI (AFP) –

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain enters the pits during the second practice session of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, on April 12, 2013. Ferrari enjoyed a one-two in the final practice on Saturday, as Alonso outgunned his team-mate Felipe Massa late in the session.

Ferrari enjoyed a one-two in the final practice on Saturday for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, as Fernando Alonso outgunned his team-mate Felipe Massa late in the session.

Alonso, the two-time world champion, was 0.622sec quicker than Massa, who had topped the time charts in the afternoon session on Friday. Lewis Hamilton, recovering from a pollen allergy, was third-fastest in warm but dry conditions.

Alonso clocked a lap time of one minute 35.391sec to snatch the best time.

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel was fourth-fastest, 0.895sec off title rival Alonso. Vettel’s estranged Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber came home fifth-fastest.

He was followed by the Force India of Adrian Sutil, ahead of Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen. Jenson Button of McLaren, team-mate Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, of Sauber, rounded out the top 10.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, winner in Shanghai last year and who topped the first practice, had only the 14th-best time after suspension trouble saw him sit out the crucial last minutes of the session.

Qualifying for Sunday’s race is later on Saturday.