Vettel ends 2007 testing on top

The Scuderia Toro Rosso driver completed 100 laps to set his best time of 1:18.213 with slick tyres and 2008 levels of downforce, to edge out BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica by two tenths of a second.

Although Nico Rosberg, also on slicks, ended up third quickest despite a spectacular engine blow-up in the afternoon, a lot of eyebrows were raised when Michael Schumacher set the fourth quickest time running slick tyres but with 2009 levels of downforce.

A lot of drivers have struggled to get speed out of the estimated 30 percent cut in downforce levels experienced this week but, despite a spin at Turn Two early in the day, Schumacher still managed to set a time less than one second off Vettel's best.

Behind fifth fastest Kazuki Nakajima, Toyota's Timo Glock was also running with the reduced down force levels. Teammate Jarno Trulli finished down in ninth after testing slicks and 2009 downforce levels.

"We tried to achieve many things today so it was quite busy for me," said Trulli. "I used the new slick tyres and they gave a lot more grip and were pretty consistent. We also tried the tyres with 2009 levels of downforce which was quite different and a bit tricky.

"It was not easy to understand everything because we tried so many different things during the day. We collected a lot of data and now we must study that and figure out the solution.

"We tried to do as many laps as possible, which was our main target in order to put mileage on the new rear end and 2008 ECU."

Super Aguri duo Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato also tried out the reduced downforce levels, while Marko Asmer continued to set respectable times on his return to the cockpit for BMW Sauber. The Estonian brought out the red flags just after 12pm when he ran off the track.

Force India duo Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez, who suffered an engine failure in the morning, ended the day at the bottom of the timesheets.

"The test has been a very fruitful one for the team," said Vijay Mallya, Force India's managing director.

"Not only have we demonstrated the strong potential of the team by attracting five highly talented drivers to test for us, it's also been very motivating for the team to have the benefit of their experience to help develop the car.

"This week has had a very positive impact on the motivation of the mechanics, engineers and all involved and has shown the sporting community that we are serious about what Force India wants to achieve in Formula One."

Today's times:

Pos  Driver         Team                      Time     Laps
 1.  Vettel         Toro Rosso-Ferrari   (B)  1:18.213  100
 2.  Kubica         BMW-Sauber           (B)  1:18.410  119
 3.  Rosberg        Williams-Toyota      (B)  1:18.796   97
 4.  M.Schumacher   Ferrari              (B)  1:19.136   58
 5.  Nakajima       Williams-Toyota      (B)  1:19.611   76
 6.  Glock          Toyota               (B)  1:19.961   58
 7.  Massa          Ferrari              (B)  1:20.000   45
 8.  Bourdais       Toro Rosso-Ferrari   (B)  1:20.033   87
 9.  Trulli         Toyota               (B)  1:20.229   69
10.  Coulthard      Red Bull-Renault     (B)  1:20.657   72
11.  Davidson       Super Aguri-Honda    (B)  1:20.821  102
12.  Sato           Super Aguri-Honda    (B)  1:21.092   84
13.  Asmer          BMW-Sauber           (B)  1:21.333   80
14.  Van der Garde  Force India-Ferrari  (B)  1:22.321   81
15.  Rodriguez      Force India-Ferrari  (B)  1:22.508   82

All Timing Unofficial