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Sebastian Vettel fastest in final German Grand Prix practice

Vettel fastest in final practice
© AP Photos
Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest time in the final practice for this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

Sebastian Vettel has finished fastest in the final practice session for this weekend's German Grand Prix.

The German posted the only lap of less than 90 seconds, finishing the session with a time of 1:29.517 at the Nurburgring.

British Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg was just over half a second behind his compatriot with a time of 1:30.193, while Vettel's Red Bull teammate Mark Webber was third.

Lewis Hamilton, who finished seventh, struggled with the balance of his car, complaining to his engineers that his Mercedes was unstable at the rear, while 17th-placed Pastor Maldonado also had problems, telling his team that he was unable to drive the car.

Ferrari had a strong session, with Fernando Alonso securing fourth less than a tenth of a second ahead of teammate Felipe Massa, who was fifth.

For the third practice in a row, there were no tyre failures, easing fears that drivers could boycott this weekend's Grand Prix over safety concerns with the Pirellis.

Third practice full standings:

1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Mark Webber (Red Bull)
4. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
5. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
8. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
10. Adrian Sutil (Force India)
11. Jenson Button (McLaren)
12. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
13. Paul di Resta (Force India)
14. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)
15. Sergio Perez (McLaren)
16. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)
17. Pastor Maldonado (Williams)
18. Valterri Bottas (Williams)
19. Charles Pic (Caterham)
20. Jules Bianchi (Marussia)
21. Giedo van der Garde (Caterham)
22. Max Chilton (Marussia)

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Written by
Sian Cowper
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car to win the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix on April 21, 2013
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