Vettel put Ferrari into the Mexican Grand Prix mix with the fastest practice lap on Friday while Lewis Hamilton laid down a marker in his title battle with Mercedes team mate Rosberg
The triple world champion lapped the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez with a best time of one minute 20.914 seconds
Mexican Grand Prix organizers hope U.S. company Liberty Media's takeover of Formula One will boost their event by expanding in the region.
Mexican Sergio Pérez and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg are staying at Force India next season.
The right front tire on the Spaniard's McLaren collided with the left rear on Esteban Gutiérrez's Haas as the Mexican driver braked to make the bend at Turn 3.
The 19-year-old will take part in seven practice sessions next year, the Formula One team said.
In 1990, at Ferrari, the future world champion pulled off a breathtaking 300 kilometer per hour pass on Austrian Gerhard Berger's McLaren around the outside of the fearsome Peraltada corner to take second place.
Sergio Pérez ended 15 with 1:23 minutes on his best lap.
Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera predicts more than 330,000 fans will jam the refurbished track.
'Checo' arrives in Texas knowing that Sunday is more like a warm-up for the following weekend's big party -- the thrill of Mexico's first grand prix since 1992.