SUZUKA, Japan (AP) Nico Rosberg set the fastest time in Saturday's final practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, edging Mercedes teammate and Formula One title rival Lewis Hamilton who crashed late in the session.
Rosberg's time of 1 minute, 33.228 seconds was 0.982 ahead of Hamilton, who crashed at the first corner and hit the barrier with the left-front part of the car.
Fernando Alonso was third fastest followed by Williams driver Felipe Massa.
Hamilton, who leads Rosberg by three points in the overall title race, will be bidding for his seventh pole of the season in qualifying later Saturday.
The morning practice was overshadowed by the announcement that four-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Red Bull at the end of the season.
