Webber tops drenched final practice in Belgium

Mark Webber has remained at the top of the timesheets in what was a saturated final practice session at Spa on Saturday morning. After a selection of drivers took turns to lead the way, the Australian headed Lewis Hamilton as Alguersuari, Button and Vettel completed the top five. Saving tires, Ferrari ended the period in 23rd and 24th places.

On his 35th birthday and now re-signed with Red Bull until the end of the 2012 season, Webber led the way with a lap time of 2:08.988, with the track continuing to dry after heavy rain soaked the circuit once again. The first times, set by the Toro Rosso duo, came half an hour into the session and were 22 seconds slower than the leading pace of yesterday.

There were few incidents, despite the treacherous conditions, with drivers first assessing the track with single installation laps. However it was not a totally trouble-free hour, as Bruno Senna straight-lined Les Combes and Paul di Resta endured a spin at Pouhon. There was also a slow puncture for Nico Rosberg, who recovered to the pits with a deflating right-front tire.

Ferrari and McLaren remained in their garages for the longest amount of time, with Hamilton and Button completing only 15 laps between them as Massa and Alonso elected to lower the risks as well as saving tires, with the Brazilian only featuring briefly as Alonso set no lap time at all. Each driver is permitted just three sets of Wets and four sets of Intermediates per race meeting.

Although much uncertainly remains thanks to the weather – with more rain expected to affect qualifying – Webber has now been quickest on both a dry and wet track this weekend.

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