Formula One: Rosberg top again in Brazil, completes practice treble

Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg awaits in his car at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Nov 8, 2014, on the eve of the Brazil Formula One Grand Prix. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg awaits in his car at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Nov 8, 2014, on the eve of the Brazil Formula One Grand Prix. -- PHOTO: AFP

SAO PAULO (AFP) - Nico Rosberg completed a treble of three successive fastest times in practice for Mercedes at the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of his team-mate and Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton on Saturday.

The 29-year-old German, who was fastest in both free practice sessions on Friday, was quickest again in the third free practice session on Saturday morning.

Rosberg, who is 24 points behind Hamilton with two races remaining, clocked a fastest lap time of 1min 10.446sec to outpace Hamilton by 0.114 of a second.

The Briton spun his car midway through the session when he locked up a Turn One under heavy braking and flat-spotted his tyres.

Local hero Felipe Massa was third fastest ahead of his Williams team-mate Finn Valtteri Bottas on a dull and overcast morning after overnight rain. More rain is forecast ahead of Saturday afternoon's qualifying session.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fifth fastest for Red Bull, ahead of Jenson Button of McLaren, Kimi Raikkonen and his Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso.

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