Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fastest ahead of Felipe Massa in final practice in China

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fastest ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa in final practice ahead of qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.

Alonso lapped the 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1:35.391 seconds, a time 0.622s quicker than that managed by Massa, who was fastest overall in Friday's sessions.

Lewis Hamilton was third fastest for Mercedes, although team-mate Nico Rosberg was a frustrating 14th after his car developed a mechanical problem.

The German is therefore on the backfoot ahead of qualifying, a session which he dominated 12 months ago before claiming victory in the race.

Even so, Mercedes look very strong. Commentating for Sky Sports F1, Karun Chandhok said: "My reading of this is that we have a straight fight for pole between the Mercedes and the Ferraris with the Red Bulls a little bit shy."

Red Bull ended the session fourth and fifth, with Sebastian Vettel just over a tenth faster than Mark Webber but almost nine tenths slower than Alonso.
The question to be asked now is whether - if at all - the World Champions have been masking their true pace. Vettel qualified on pole position for both of the opening two races of the season but was only tenth fastest on Friday.

Adrian Sutil was a strong sixth for Force India, with the top ten completed by Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), Jenson Button (McLaren), Sergio Perez (McLaren) and Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber).

Mercedes were immediately on the pace, with Rosberg setting a 1:37.699s lap on the medium tyre before Hamilton went six tenths quicker.

He improved slightly, as did Rosberg, with Vettel third at this stage over half a second back but ahead of Webber.

Installation laps aside, Ferrari's drivers waited until the second half of the session before heading out, with Alonso and Massa respectively fifth and sixth on the medium tyre.