1.596410-2231080227
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain looks on at pit during the third practice session at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Image Credit: AP

Sakhir: Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has topped Saturday's final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The two-time champion from Spain set a quickest lap of 1 minute, 54.099 seconds to better Nico Rosberg of Mercedes by nearly three-tenths of a second, with Red Bull driver Mark Webber close up in third.

In pictures: A look at some of the F1 drivers

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was fourth fastest ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa sixth as the preseason title favorites challenged for the fastest lap right up to the end of the 60-minute session.

Defending champion Jenson Button was seventh with a best time of 1:55.000, while McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton finished 12th after being forced to stop with a brake problem.

Qualifying is later on Saturday.