Spa FP3: Hamilton takes command

After spending Friday playing second fiddle to his Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton put the hammer down in the third free practice of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend to annex top spot on the timing sheets and signalling his intent ahead of qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps.

The reigning world champion's best time 1:48.984,set on a final run using the soft yellow band Pirelli tyres, up on Nico Rosberg, who a day earlier survived a scary high speed crash.

The German ended the final free practice session 0.498 seconds slower than Hamilton, who will be chasing his 10th pole position in 11 races when he takes to the track for qualifying.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen were third and fourth fastest respectively, with the German 0.645 slower than Hamilton's best lap of one minute 48.984 seconds.

Behind them came Mexican Sergio Perez, in a Force India who have a tradition of going well at Spa, followed by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, winner last year in Belgium, and Russian teammate Daniil Kvyat.

McLaren, whose drivers are already sure of starting at the back of the grid after collecting a combined grid drop of 55 places for unscheduled engine changes, had another difficult morning.

Fernando Alonso failed to set a lap time due to a suspected exhaust problem while Jenson Button was 17th fastest and ahead of only the Manor Marussia pair.

[highlight ]Belgian Grand Prix, Free Practice 3 - Saturday, 22 August 2015[/highlight]