Fernando Alonso clocked the fastest time Friday in free practice Friday for this weekend’s Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix.
The Renault driver registered a time of 1 minute 12.296 seconds in his Renault for the 4.309-kilometres lap during the second session at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.
Ferrari’s Felipe Massa was quickest in the morning session ahead of world championship rival Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes but had to be satisfied with second fastest behind Alonso in the afternoon.
Massa was out in front in the opening session in his Ferrari, edging Hamilton into second place in his McLaren by 0.190 seconds with a lap time of one minute 12.305secs.
Hamilton was a surprisingly lowly ninth, the kind of result he has to avoid in Sunday’s race to become the youngest champion in F1 history.
The Briton only has to finish in the top five to take the title, but struggled in stark contrast to a fortnight ago when he dominated in China en route to victory.
Conditions were hardly welcoming either as a grey, windy day was punctuated by the odd shower, upsetting any rhythm.
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