Sebastian Vettel made it three out of three in Shanghai, setting the quickest laps in all three practice sessions ahead of qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
The German was just four tenths off the quickest qualifying lap from the 2010 season, also set by the Red Bull driver.
Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton took P2 and P3 respectively. Button was just under two tenths quicker than his team-mate following an off-track excursion for the latter which ruined his following hot lap.
Nico Rosberg stayed fourth following on from FP2, sitting over a tenth and a half ahead of the two Ferrari’s, Fernando Alonso in front of Felipe Massa.
Further down the field in 15th was Mark Webber who suffered KERS problems meaning he completed just five laps, ending a poor session for the Australian.
Rubens Barrichello completed the most laps, though that will be little reconciliation for his 17th place, one spot ahead of Pastor Maldonado.
Chinese GP Free Practice 3 Results:
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | S. Vettel | Red Bull | 1:34.968 | 13 | |
| 02. | J. Button | McLaren | 1:35.176 | +0.208 | 15 |
| 03. | L. Hamilton | McLaren | 1:35.373 | +0.405 | 14 |
| 04. | N. Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:35.677 | +0.709 | 18 |
| 05. | F. Alonso | Ferrari | 1:35.818 | +0.850 | 17 |
| 06. | F. Massa | Ferrari | 1:35.971 | +1.003 | 15 |
| 07. | V. Petrov | Renault | 1:36.098 | +1.130 | 18 |
| 08. | A. Sutil | Force India | 1:36.125 | +1.157 | 15 |
| 09. | M. Schumacher | Mercedes | 1:36.141 | +1.173 | 14 |
| 10. | P. di Resta | Force India | 1:36.370 | +1.402 | 18 |
| 11. | N. Heidfeld | Renault | 1:36.404 | +1.436 | 16 |
| 12. | K. Kobayashi | Sauber | 1:36.582 | +1.614 | 18 |
| 13. | S. Perez | Sauber | 1.36.596 | +1.628 | 17 |
| 14. | S. Buemi | Toro Rosso | 1:36.717 | +1.749 | 16 |
| 15. | M. Webber | Red Bull | 1:36.896 | +1.928 | 5 |
| 16. | J. Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 1:36.953 | +1.985 | 14 |
| 17. | R. Barrichello | Williams | 1:37.007 | +2.039 | 20 |
| 18. | P. Maldonado | Williams | 1:37.304 | +2.336 | 18 |
| 19. | H. Kovalainen | Team Lotus | 1:38.176 | +3.208 | 12 |
| 20. | J. Trulli | Team Lotus | 1.38.739 | +3.771 | 12 |
| 21. | T. Glock | Virgin | 1:39.938 | +4.970 | 17 |
| 22. | J. d’Ambrosio | Virgin | 1:39.998 | +5.030 | 16 |
| 23. | V. Liuzzi | Hispania | 1:40.593 | +5.625 | 17 |
| 24. | N. Karthikeyan | Hispania | 1:40.881 | +5.913 | 18 |
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