F1 Monaco GP 2012: Mercedes' Rosberg Fastest in Third Practice Session

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg set the fastest time in the third and final Free Practice (FP3) session for the weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. The session was ultimately brought to a premature halt following an error and crash by Williams' Pastor Maldonado. Ferrari's Felipe Massa was second fastest ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

Maldonado appeared to be involved in an incident with Sauber's Sergio Perez at the Portier corner. He then lost control of his Williams at the entrance to Casino Square and his left rear wheel, with three minutes of the session remaining.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Lotus' Romain Grosjean finished fourth and fifth, while Jenson Button could only net sixth fastest ahead of McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes' Michael Schumacher, Perez and Red Bull's Mark Webber completed the top 10.

Maldonado's was not the only accident. Force India's Paul Di Resta, who ended up 18th fastest, crashed into the barriers as the car snapped left over the bumps. However, he was able to return to the pits despite significant nose and front wing damage. Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen spent the session focusing on race set-up and was 12th quickest.

Earlier, Alonso clocked the fastest time in a shortened first Free Practice session, on Thursday, finishing ahead of Grosjean and Perez. Jenson Button posted the fastest time in a rainy second Free Practice, in which Grosjean impressed again by finishing second, while Massa was third.

Unofficial Times from the Third Practice Session:

Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps

1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:15.159 25

2 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.197 0.038 21

3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:15.209 0.050 20

4 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:15.210 0.051 20

5 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:15.445 0.286 18

6 Jenson Button McLaren 1:15.471 0.312 19

7 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:15.734 0.575 19

8 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:15.893 0.734 23

9 Sergio Perez Sauber 1:16.110 0.951 14

10 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:16.219 1.060 19