Brazilian GP P3: Rosberg fastest in shortened practice

The final sixty minute Saturday practice for the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix would see the rain falling heavily prior to the start of the session. There would be very little chance of the drivers taking to the track with thunder and mist also adding to the monsoon conditions. The start of the session would be delayed due to the medical helicopters not been able to take off. The rain would start to ease off but the track conditions made it nearly impossible for the drivers to run. The weather updates said that another big shower would hit in about ten minutes.

Nico Rosberg was in his pit looking relaxed giving the thumbs up. Kazuki Nakajima was in his car ready to go with his helmet on. Nico said that everything was OK. But it would be challenging in qualifying if they did not get some more running. It was pouring again with the conditions now impossible. But it would start to lighten up and the teams would start to get their cars ready. There was still no start time for the session despite thirty minutes run since the session was suppose to start. More drivers were taking to their cars. With the start of the session announced the drivers would get only eighteen minutes of time on the track. Nico was now in his car and would discuss with his engineer where the rivers of water were.

It was getting a lot brighter as the first car came down the pit lane, Fisichella. A green light and he was off running on the full wet tyre. Nico was third out behind Kovalainen. More drivers were coming out including Hamilton, Vettel, Raikkonen, both Toyota's, and Heidfeld. Fisichella returned to the pit lane joined by Heidfeld. Nico would continue starting his first lap. Barrichello had left the pit lane while quite a few drivers had pitted. Kovalainen would set a time of 1m:31.716 but Nico would move ahead with a 1m:30.483. Hamilton was now second, 1m:30.772, as Kazuki and Button took to the track. Barrichello would also pit.

Nico would improve with a 1m:26.712 to remain fastest as Kovalainen set a time of 1m:27.487 to move into second. Hamilton would set a 1m:27.798. Both Renault's were out on the track joined by Webber. The times would come down with Nico setting a 1m:25.060 and Kovalainen a 1m:25.685. Kazuki was third with a 1m:26.575. Hamilton would pit from fourth while Button was fifth, 1m:30.757. The only driver yet to come out was Kubica. Kovalainen would pit while Nico was down to a 1m:24.169 as the rain started to fall again. Kazuki was third while Alonso and Grosjean were fourth and fifth. Nico was down to a 1m:23.396 to remain fastest. Grosjean would spin at Turn one. Kazuki was now second with a 1m:23.832 while Alonso and Button improved to be third and fourth.

Kovalainen was fifth but this would change as Trulli moved into fourth, 1m:24.859. Button was fifth from Webber, Kovalainen, and Alguersuari. Button was now third with a 1m:24.122. Both Williams drivers continued to circulate around the track while Sutil was up to fifth with five minutes remaining. Grosjean would have a big off taking off his front wing. Coming out of the exit of Turn five he would simply aquaplane and was a passenger. It was lucky that the car did not flip as it hit the barrier. The session would be red flagged with the drivers returning to their pits. Grosjean was sixth at the time of his accident.

The track was empty with Nico fastest from Kazuki, Button, Alonso, Grosjean, Buemi, Trulli, Heidfeld, and Webber in tenth. The session would come to an end at 12:00 to allow the two hours prior to the start of qualifying, which is set in the regulations. Qualifying is going to be a very difficult session for everyone with the conditions likely to be similar. There is not much that can be taken from a session with just thirteen minutes of running in terrible conditions.

Pos  Driver       Team			     Time     Laps
 1.  Rosberg       AT&T Williams-Toyota (B)  1:23.182 9
 2.  Nakajima      AT&T Williams-Toyota (B)  1:23.832 7
 3.  Button        Brawn GP-Mercedes    (B)  1:24.122 6
 4.  Alonso        Renault              (B)  1:24.125 5
 5.  Sutil         Force India-Mercedes (B)  1:24.149 4
 6.  Grosjean      Renault              (B)  1:24.389 5
 7.  Buemi         Toro Rosso-Ferrari   (B)  1:24.443 5
 8.  Trulli        Toyota               (B)  1:24.859 5
 9.  Heidfeld      BMW Sauber           (B)  1:24.867 5
10.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault     (B)  1:25.440 5
11.  Raikkonen     Ferrari              (B)  1:25.508 4
12.  Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes     (B)  1:25.685 5
13.  Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari   (B)  1:26.224 6
14.  Barrichello   Brawn GP-Mercedes    (B)  1:26.530 4
15.  Vettel        Red Bull-Renault     (B)  1:27.047 4
16.  Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes (B)  1:27.341 4
17.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes     (B)  1:27.798 4
18.  Fisichella    Ferrari              (B)  1:29.285 4
19.  Kubica        BMW Sauber           (B)  1:29.895 3
20.  Kobayashi     Toyota               (B)  1:30.259 4