MELBOURNE, Australia -- Sebastian Vettel topped the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, giving hope that Ferrari might be able to take the battle to Mercedes at the opening round of the season.
Vettel was 0.479s clear of Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas in second as Ferrari upped its pace by 0.8s compared to Friday practice. However, the final runs of the session, which are traditionally the quickest, were cut short by a red flag in the ten minutes from the end after 18-year-old rookie Lance Stroll wrecked his Williams against the wall at the exit of Turn 10.