Rosberg puts Mercedes back on top in Japanese GP final practice

Mercedes shrugged off signs of fallibility as Nico Rosberg and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton filled the top two slots in the final practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday.

Rosberg was 0.297 seconds quicker than his team mate Hamilton, who is chasing his eighth victory of the season, Sport24 reported.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo finished third quickest ahead of the Williams pair of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who claimed a dominant victory in Singapore, was only eighth.

Earlier on Friday, Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz Jr. won the opening practice session while Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat won the second in a rain-soaked session at Suzuka.

Hamilton heads into Japanese Grand Prix holding a 41 point-lead over Rosberg.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Vettel will aim to sustain the momentum and stamp Ferrari's authority after winning the previous race in Singapore.