Mercedes' Nico Rosberg has clocked the fastest time in the third practice session, and first dry outing, on the Suzuka track at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Rain in the first two practices meant that the final session took on added importance, with both Rosberg and teammate Lewis Hamilton making the session count as they topped the timesheet with times of 1:33.995 and 1:34.292 respectively.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, whose teammate Daniil Kvyat recorded the top time in the second practice, finished third fastest in P3 with a time of 1:34.497.

Valterri Bottas and Felipe Massa rounded out the top five, the only other two drivers to come within a second of Rosberg's time.

Full standings:

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
4. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
5. Felipe Massa (Williams)
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
7. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso)
8. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
10. Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso)
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India)
12. Jenson Button (McLaren)
13. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
14. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull)
15. Pastor Maldonado (Lotus)
16. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
17. Sergio Perez (Force India)
18. Felipe Nasr (Sauber)
19. Will Stevens (Manor)
20. Alexander Rossi (Marussia)