Macau warm-up: Kaffer shows his pace

Kaffer set his best time, which was nearly three seconds quicker than his nearest challenger, Patrick Friesacher, on his final lap and reported no problems. "The quicker times obviously came at the end of the session when the track was at its driest," said Kaffer. "I am feeling confident for the race."

Toshiro Kaneishi was third quickest, after also setting his fastest time in the closing stages, while fourth fastest Takuma Sato, who starts from the front row of the grid, reported no problems with his car.

"The car was very good and I am happy," he explained. "The circuit was very wet out on the back session, but I had a good balance so there was no problem. I am going to sit down with my team-mate Narain Karthikeyan before the race to discuss our tactics for the start, because we cannot afford to take each other off."

Briton Ben Collins was much happier with his car after setting the fifth best time. His RC Motorsport team had worked hard in changing the set-up of the car after qualifying. "It felt a lot, lot better," said Collins. "I only got one clear lap in that session because of traffic, but I am really looking forward to the race. We are running really low wing here, and we've cut the diffuser for maximum straightline speed, so we should be quick down the main straight."

South African Tomas Scheckter was another driver much happier with his car in the session after ending up sixth quickest. "That was the first session where I haven't hit the wall and I've stayed on the track the whole time," he said. "Everything feels good and the new race format gives me a better chance to move up the field because the first event will be like a qualifying session."

Pole position man Karthikeyan reported no problems with his car as he ended the session 14th quickest, having been in the pits when the track was at its driest.