Robert Kubica fastest in final practice in Korea

Robert Kubica is threatening to upset the established order

Renault's Robert Kubica set the pace in an intensely competitive final practice session as the teams prepared for qualifying for the Korean Grand Prix. Just 0.087 seconds separated the top four as the Pole headed McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Red Bull's Mark Webber. The session emphasised there appears little to choose between the front-running teams at F1's newest track. Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was fifth, with Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa sixth. Overnight changes to the Yeongam circuit focused on the kerbs, but the track itself was initially almost as dusty as it had been before first practice on Friday. Traffic too was an issue, especially later on as grip improved and the teams switched to the softer 'option' tyres for qualifying simulations. Alonso was furious after almost colliding with a slow-moving Rosberg on the racing line, and the Mercedes' driver may find himself required to answer to the race stewards for what appeared to be a thoughtless piece of driving. 

Traffic was also an issue for Sebastian Vettel, the German finishing only 16th fastest and being fortunate not to damage his car after running wide and throwing up clouds of dust at Turn 11. That Kubica ended fastest confirms the Renault driver could have a major say in what promises to be a furiously hard-fought qualifying session. 

Korean Grand Prix, Yeongam, 22-24 October
Qualifying: 0500-0730 on BBC One, Red Button, online and 5 live sports extra
Race: 0600-0915 on BBC One, Red Button, online and Radio 5 live