McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen edged Ferrari rival Felipe Massa for top spot in the third and final practice session ahead of German Grand Prix qualifying at Hockenheim.

Heikki Kovalainen took over from where McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton had left off overnight on Friday by setting the pace in the third and final free practice session ahead of qualifying for the German Grand Prix.

The Finn lapped Hockenheim some six-tenths slower than Hamilton had managed in FP2, but was still able to better his own personal best from the opening day as he edged Ferrari's Felipe Massa for top spot. Kovalainen posted a 1min 15.621secs best, while Massa, looking to restart his title challenge after a disappointing Silverstone, lapped just 0.072secs slower as the third session failed to produce its usual surprise pacesetter.

Kovalainen set his time on Bridgestone's softer option, as did third placed Hamilton, but Massa was faster on the harder compound on offer. The Brazilian, however, had his usual 'moment, although he was mimicked by Hamilton, who also ran out of road during the 60-minute session.

Fernando Alonso too full advantage of both Kimi Raikkonen's ninth place and problems for the two BMW Saubers to claim fourth, while Sebastian Vettel showed why Red Bull inked him to a deal for 2009 by taking fifth for Toro Rosso, ahead of Jarno Trulli, Nelson Piquet Jr, Mark Webber, Raikkonen and the consistent Nico Rosberg.

Robert Kubica was the worst affected of the two BMWs, languishing in last place after suffering a driveshaft failure on his F1.08. The team immediately set about effecting a repair in time for qualifying, but its challenge for pole temporarily appeared to have been dented, especially as Nick Heidfeld managed only 16th spot.

Britons Jenson Button and David Coulthard headed the second half of the timesheet, ahead of Kazuki Nakajima, Timo Glock, Sebastien Bourdais - like Piquet, another to spin - while Heidfeld only just edged Force India's Adrian Sutil, who defied a rotation of his own to claim 17th position just 0.032secs behind his fellow German. Rubens Barrichello and Giancarlo Fisichella filled gap back to Kubica.