Monaco 2009 – Alonso fastest on Saturday morning’s final practice.

Two-time Monaco winner Fernando Alonso emerged as the final practice session’s fastest man following a closely-fought Saturday morning on the tortuous street circuit.

The Spaniard lapped in 1m 15.164s, the fastest time thus far this weekend. It was just enough to dislodge Brawn’s Jenson Button, who had earlier popped up at the top for the first time with 1m 15.233s.

But right behind the Englishman, McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen (1m 15.278s), Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello (1m 15.286s on his 37th birthday) and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa (1m 15.293s) were also very quick. And Kimi Raikkonen (1m 15.382s for Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (1m 15.389s in his McLaren) were a stone’s throw away too in sixth and seventh.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton looked impressive for the second day running on the tight Monaco street circuit.

Most drivers went out on soft tyres before changing to the super-soft option tyres towards the end of the session to bring down their times.