Vettel fastest in practice

The world champion's team escaped sanction as it was the first time they have broken a curfew this year but the fact they were battling to improve performance so late suggests they worried after failing to win the last two races.

Germany's Vettel sped round the Hungaroring in one minute 21.168 while team mate Mark Webber, who lost a front wing in a crash in Friday practice, set the fourth quickest lap ahead of qualifying.

The Budapest sun shone brightly for the first time since the teams arrived and the galleries were filled with spectators eager for a repeat of last weekend's enthralling battle at the German Grand Prix on Sunday.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was second quickest while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who secured a surprise win at the Nuerburgring and was fastest in both of Friday's practice sessions, was only seventh on the timesheets on Saturday.

Brazilian Felipe Massa took an impromptu trip across the grass at the circuit where he suffered serious head injuries in an accident two years ago.