Sebastian Vettel headed a Ferrari 1-2, with Lewis Hamilton a close third, during the final practice session for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen both set their best times on their second push laps on Supersoft tyres in chilly and overcast conditions at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with air temperature a paltry 12°c.
Vettel’s time of 1:42.661 was just 0.063s quicker than Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, while Hamilton was third, 0.137s down on his title rival.
Valtteri Bottas was fourth, 0.803s behind Vettel, and was involved in a high-speed incident with McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne during the final stages of running.
Bottas, on an out lap, held his usual line through Kemmel, but was being caught by Vandoorne, who had started a hot lap.
Vandoorne went to pass Bottas but was edged onto the grass and spun at high-speed, and fortunately managed to avoid both Bottas and a heavy impact with the barriers.
Vandoorne expressed his anger at the incident while Bottas claimed on the radio that he did not see the approaching McLaren, having allowed Fernando Alonso through on the run to Eau Rouge a few moments beforehand.
Vandoorne, who classified last in the wake of another dismal showing from McLaren – with Alonso only 19th – only made light contact with the guardrail along the straight.
The incident is to be reviewed by stewards.
Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth and sixth, 1.3s and 1.8s off the pace respectively, the latter using Softs for his quickest time.
Ferrari-backed Charles Leclerc spearheaded the midfield scrap in seventh for Sauber, 2.3s behind Vettel but three-tenths clear of his rivals.
Force India past and present rounded out the top 10 with Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon sandwiching Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg.
Marcus Ericsson demonstrated Sauber’s strong pace by taking 11th, in front of Romain Grosjean, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Kevin Magnussen.
Pierre Gasly spun exiting the pit lane following the red-flag period caused by Vandoorne’s wild spin and eventually placed 15th, ahead of Toro Rosso team-mate Brendon Hartley.
Williams pair Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin took 17th and 18th, while the aforementioned McLaren drivers finished at the rear of the pack, over four seconds off the pace, their best times coming on Mediums.
Qualifying will begin at 15:00 local time.
