Practice 3 Report - Vettel fastest in final Brazil practice

Sebastian Vettel (1:12.460) looks well set to beat Nigel Mansell's record 14 pole positions in a season after topping the final session of free practice for the season-closing Brazilian GP.

Vettel lapped Interlagos in 1:12.460 but will clearly face a challenge if he is to go further into the record books.

Both McLaren drivers have three wins apiece so far this year and are keen to finish the season with one more than their team mate.

Jenson Button (1:12.547) finished FP3 just eight hundredths slower than Vettel, with Lewis Hamilton (1:12.622) a similar distance behind Button. And, sandwiched between them, was Mark Webber (1:12.597) in the second Red Bull, still searching for his first 2011 win.

With less than two tenths between the fastest four men, therefore, the season's final pole could go to any of them.

Fernando Alonso's Ferrari (1:12.765) is also in touch, although the Spaniard seemed to be more on the edge to achieve the time, almost losing the car a couple of times in the Senna Esses.

Force India needs a solid result to reinforce its sixth place in the constructors championship and seems on course after Adrian Sutil (1:13.113) finished the session sixth fastest, ahead of the closely matched Mercedes pair, Nico Rosberg (1:13.286) just over a tenth quicker than Michael Schumacher (1:13.393).

Paul Di Resta (1:13.419) was ninth quickest, ahead of Felipe Massa (13.583) who was more than eight tenths down on Alonso's sister car.

Sebastian Buemi was forced to sit out the session after a hydraulic issue on his Toro Rosso.