Mark Webber was close behind Rosberg in third place having completed his qualifying simulation earlier than his team-mate, with the Ferrari pair of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa fourth and fifth but over a second off the pace set by Vettel.
Lewis Hamilton struggled with the handling of his Mercedes, complaining of oversteer throughout the early stages of the session and on returning to the garage told the team: "I can't drive the car now, the car is just so unstable at the rear."
P. Driver Team Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:29.517 19
2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG 1:30.193 + 0.676 19
3. Mark Webber Red Bull 1:30.211 + 0.694 18
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:30.621 + 1.104 16
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:30.639 + 1.122 17
6. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:30.671 + 1.154 19
7. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG 1:30.744 + 1.227 20
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:30.781 + 1.264 18
9. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:30.966 + 1.449 20
10. Adrian Sutil Force India 1:31.009 + 1.492 18
11. Jenson Button McLaren 1:31.326 + 1.809 22
12. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:31.405 + 1.888 20
13. Paul di Resta Force India 1:31.733 + 2.216 21
14. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:31.855 + 2.338 18
15. Sergio Perez McLaren 1:31.855 + 2.338 23
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:31.898 + 2.381 19
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:31.969 + 2.452 20
18. Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:32.036 + 2.519 23
19. Charles Pic Caterham 1:33.230 + 3.713 19
20. Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:33.470 + 3.953 22
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:33.964 + 4.447 21
22. Max Chilton Marussia 1:34.683 + 5.166 20
