Vettel tops wet final practice session

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Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time during a wet final practice session ahead of qualifying for the British Grand Prix.

Vettel’s time of 1:52.522 on Intermediate tyres was a tenth of a second quicker than Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

Overnight rain left the circuit significantly dampened and while rain was not falling at the start of the session, it soon returned and consequently intensified.

As a result, several leading drivers – including Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton – only briefly appeared on circuit and opted not to set a timed lap.

Of the drivers who set a time, the majority completed only a handful of laps.

Pastor Maldonado was third for Lotus, with team-mate Romain Grosjean, who spun the E22, in fourth. Adrian Sutil was fifth fastest for Sauber, despite running wide at Club.

Daniil Kvyat, who saved a spectacular slide at Club, was sixth quickest, ahead of the McLaren duo of Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button.

Finnish pair Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen rounded out the top 10.

Jean-Éric Vergne was 11^th, ahead of Esteban Gutiérrez and Felipe Massa.

Both Force India drivers struggled with the handling of the VJM07 and spent time off the circuit, with Nico Hülkenberg ahead of Sergio Pérez in 14^th.

It was a dismal session for Marussia as gearbox problems restricted Max Chilton to just a single lap - as well as a five place grid drop -  while Jules Bianchi ran wide at Stowe and nestled the front of his MR-03 into the barriers.

Drivers have also been informed that they must not run wide at Copse or Club and gain an advantage - if they do so their lap time will be deleted.