F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Vettel sets pace in second free practice despite late tyre failure

Three-time defending Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in second free practice for the F1 Belgian Grand Prix despite a right-rear tyre failure in the closing stages of the 90 minute session.

The German's time of 1:49.331 beat that of Red Bull Racing teammate Mark Webber who posted a 1:49.390.

The pacesetter in the wet first free practice session and former two-time champion Fernando Alonso ended the session in seventh place behind the Lotus F1 of Kimi Raikkonen, who has been the subject of much speculation regarding the team he will race for in 2014. Raikkonen's compatriot and former F1 podium finisher Mika Salo, has in fact, stated that he believes the 2007 champion will be heading back to Ferrari next year.

Behind the two Red Bull Racing cars was the Lotus F1 of Romain Grosjean, the Ferrari of Felipe Massa and the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne to round out the top five.

Behind Alonso came McLaren's Sergio Perez, Mercedes AMG's Nico Rosberg and Sahara Force India's Paul Di Resta to complete the top ten in the classification.

The Mercedes cars had believed to have been a threat for pole position and/or victory after Lewis Hamilton's Hungarian GP win, but have so far been subdued in the first free practice sessions after F1's self imposed summer break.

Rosberg and Hamilton have, between them taken pole position in six of the last seven races and won three of them to cement Mercedes AMG's position in the constructors' standings behind leaders Red Bull Racing.