Japanese GP, Free Practice 3: Button still in front

Jenson Button was once again the fastest in free practice for the Japanese Formula 1 GP. In the third free practice session, on Saturday morning in Suzuka, the McLaren driver took the lead in the first half of the session, lapping in 1.33.493. 1.33.044. Button then fell to XNUMX.

Mercedes was the first team to use soft tires in the final 20 minutes: Nico Rosberg first and Michael Schumacher then took the lead.

Button then mounted soft tires as well, regaining the lead of the standings with a 1.31.255. Second time for the other McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, half a second behind. Minor session for Sebastian Vettel, third with Red Bull at 8 tenths.

Fernando Alonso is fourth with Ferrari ahead of the other Red Bull of Mark Webber and the other Ferrari of Felipe Massa.

Mercedes dropped to seventh and eighth ahead of Vitaly Petrov (Renault) and Adrian Sutil (Force India).

Both Toro Rossos outside the top 10. Williams slow after yesterday's problems: Pastor Maldonado 16th, Rubens Barrichello 18th. The session was red flagged for 8 minutes due to an accident by Bruno Senna at Spoon after 25 minutes. The Brazilian ran wide on exit, turned and ended up in the barriers. Hydraulic pressure problem for Tonio Liuzzi, who remained stuck on the track with his HRT.

F1 GP Japan, Suzuka – Times and Results Free Practice 3

Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m31.255s 2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m31.762s + 0.507s 3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m32.122s + 0.867s 4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m32.279s + 1.024s 5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m32.401s + 1.146s 6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m32.429s + 1.174s 7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m32.725s + 1.470s 8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m32.878s + 1.623s 9. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m33.058s + 1.803s 10. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m33.424s + 2.169s 11. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m33.469s + 2.214s 12. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m33.545s + 2.290s 13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m33.818s + 2.563s 14. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m33.836s + 2.581s 15. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m33.990s + 2.735s 16. Pastor Maldonado Williams- Cosworth 1m34.321s + 3.066s 17. Bruno Senna Renault 1m35.389s + 4.134s 18. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m35.651s + 4.396s 19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m36.327s + 5.072s 20. Heikki Kovalainen Lo tus- Renault 1m36.912s + 5.657s 21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m37.938s + 6.683s 22. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m38.011s + 6.756s 23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m38.355s + 7.100s 24. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m41.097s + 9.842s