Nico Rosberg has topped all free practice sessions this weekend at the Hockenheimring. He was fastest again before qualifying ahead of Hamilton and Ricciardo.
The Mercedes led the first half of the session, with Hamilton 3 tenths comfortably ahead of Rosberg and Verstappen. Vettel and Räikkönen came next 6 tenths off the best time. An investigation on Hamilton was started after he was unsafely released from his box while Grosjean was coming into the pit lane. A reprimand for the Brit would mean a 10-place grid penalty, since it’d be his 3rd this season. Grosjean‘s session didn’t get any better, as he almost spun and went off track. When he rejoined, he reported gearbox issues and had to go back to the box.
With 20 minutes to go, the drivers tested qualifying for the last time. Button had a late first outing and complained about the balance of his McLaren, which left him on P18. Ricciardo set the best middle sector, but his final time was 1 tenth behind the Mercedes, while Räikkönen was 4th less than 2 tenths behind. Rosberg stayed first ahead of Hamilton, Ricciardo, Räikkönen, Vettel, Verstappen, Bottas, Massa, Alonso and Hülkenberg.