UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Alonso sets pace in Practice 3

Alonso leads Vettel

Reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso has fired another shot back at his continuing critics as he set a hot pace in Practice 3 ahead of this afternoon's Qualifying session.

The McLaren drivers time of 1:12.150 came with his last lap late in the session after his team mate Lewis Hamilton and new comer Sebastian Vettel set the early pace.

Behind Alonso was BMW rising star and fill-in Vettel who was closely followed by Hamilton, a surprising Heikki Kovalainen and the second BMW of Nick Heidfeld, who was within 5 tenths of Alonso's time.

The two Ferrari's of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were 6th and 7th respectively while the sister Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella was 8th only just over 5 tenths down on Alonso himself.

David Coulthard was next for Red Bull and was closely followed by the impressive Nico Rosberg in the Williams Toyota. He placed ahead of the two factory Toyota's which was surprising as Ralf Schumacher finally started to show some pace at the race track that has twice injured him.

Anthony Davidson in the Super Aguri was again impressive as he lead home Mark Webber, the two factory Honda's, the two Toro Rosso's, Alexander Wurz and his disappointing Williams and the two Spykers who held up the rear. Despite these cars trailing the World Championm, they are all around 2 seconds or less of the pace, showing the level of improvement down the order.

Written: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:21:49