New Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets ahead of Mercedes racer Nico Rosberg in the final free practice session here today. Mark Webber was third for red Bull ahead of Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Jenson Button, Robert Kubica, Liuzzi and Nico Hulkenberg. Karun Chandhok failed to take part in the session and as such will not be able to take part in qualifying.

The final free practice session of the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix got underway here at the Sahkir circuit this morning with hot sunny and windy conditions greeting the driers as they prepared for the final sixty minute session.

42 degree track temperature was the pre curser for this afternoon’s qualifying session as Tonio Liuzzi roared out of pitlane to get things started. With time being of the essence in this outing, the Force India driver is soon followed out by several of his colleagues, including Michael Schumacher, who was third quickest here yesterday.

Many questions are now set to be answered as teams and drivers prepare to take their gloves off today and show their real hands after a solid month of testing and fans worldwide are dying to see just who has done their homework correctly.

Installations laps for all bar the HRT drivers are completed with the two Red Bull drivers the last to appear however they continue on to set the opening times of the day, Vettel more than half a second faster than Webber. After failing to appear yesterday, Indian racer Karun Chandhok’s woes continue today as the team continue to work on the gearbox of his HRT contender. Sadly, if he fails to take part in this final practice session, he will not be allowed to race in the season opener here tomorrow.  

Michael Schumacher moves into second place as trouble hits Timo Glock, the left front wheel of his Virgin has come off! Thankfully it doesn’t do any damage and rolls safely out of the way while the German is forced to tour back to the pits ever so carefully on three wheels. The session continues uninterrupted and Alonso moves into P1, his Ferrari there only momentarily however as it is soon replaced at the top of the order by Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes.

Moments later it is Felipe Massa’s turn to top the timesheets and with half the session already gone, six drivers are still to set a time. Bruno Senna puts in a successful installation lap but no time is set while teammate Chandhok is still waiting to take to the track for the first time this weekend. The track is fairly busy right now as the session begins to near the end, even Timo Glock is back out, this time with all four wheels firmly attached.

McLaren mechanics are busy at the front end of Lewis Hamilton’s contender and there appears to be an issue with the front brake duct. Ten minutes remain and Senna finally sets his first timed lap of the day as he sets a time eleven seconds off the pace. Di Grassi and Chandhok are yet to set a time as the final few minutes get underway.

On soft rubber Alonso moves up into P1 ahead of his teammate while Sutil and Liuzzi, also on the softer Bridgestone option, improve to sixth and seventh. Quicker times are on the way for most drivers and Schumacher moves into P2, but only momentarily as Mark Webber appears out of nowhere to take the spot for himself. Nico Rosberg is on a flyer setting the fastest first and second sector times but he loses time in the third sector and finishes up second, two and half tenths down on Alonso. Vettel is now fifth as the session comes to a close, leaving Alonso at the top of the timesheets with two hours to go before qualifying.