F1: Rosberg Remains Fast In Final Bahrain Practice

Formula 1

F1: Rosberg Remains Fast In Final Bahrain Practice

After leading Friday's second practice in Bahrain, Nico Rosberg topped the time sheet once again in FP3...

Jared Turner | Posted April 21, 2012 Manama (BHR)

Mercedes' days in Formula One could be limited. (Photo: Getty Images)

Clearly, Nico Rosberg isn't kidding around.

Fresh off his first career GP win and pole last weekend in Shanghai, the Mercedes driver is making a strong case to be considered the favorite for Sunday's Bahrain GP.

After pacing Friday's second practice at Bahrain International Circuit, the German topped the time sheet once again in FP3 ahead of knockout qualifying — albeit a shade shower than his leading Friday time.

Rosberg's best FP3 lap of 1:33:254 was still enough to convincingly top the time sheet ahead of Sebastian Vettel's resurgent Red Bull RB8 (1:33:401) and the sister Red Bull of Mark Webber (1:33:663).

Lewis Hamilton, who later on Saturday will be looking to make it three poles in four attempts this season, was fourth as the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher rounded out the top five.

Jenson Button, Kamui Kobayashi, Daniel Ricciardo, Romain Grosjean and Fernando Alonso filled out the rest of top 10.

Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di Resta returned to action after not participating in FP2, opting to leave the track early Friday to avoid potential danger after four team members were involved in an incident Wednesday night that saw a firebomb land near their vehicle. Two team members have subsequently returned home.

Three different winners have tasted victory in the season's first three events as Button (Australia), Alonso (Malaysia) and Rosberg (China) have each broken through.

Hamilton is the World Championship leader, holding a two-point edge over teammate Button and an eight-point cushion over third-place Alonso.

While matters have been eventful off the track since teams began arriving in Bahrain on Wednesday, each of the three practices were relatively tame as no major incidents occurred.

Up next are three rounds of knockout qualifying to set the grid for Sunday's Bahrain GP. Tune in for live coverage on SPEED at 7 a.m. ET.

Jared Turner is an Associate Editor for SPEED.com, covering NASCAR and Formula One, and is an Editor for TruckSeries.com. His professional motorsports writing career began in 2005.