Alonso quickest as Hamilton edges Massa into qualifying
Hamilton is quicker than Massa ahead of qualifying this afternoon at Interlagos
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Saturday, 01, Nov 2008 03:11
Britain's Lewis Hamilton was quicker than his formula one drivers' championship rival Felipe Massa as Renault's Fernando Alonso was fastest in today's final practice session at Interlagos.
Massa was comfortably quicker than Hamilton in practice yesterday, but the Briton will be pleased with his improved pace before the duo vie for pole position when qualification starts at 4:00pm at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton was quickest for the majority of the session, finishing 0.1 seconds faster than Massa with a time of 1:12:278, before Alonso eclipsed them both with a stunning flying lap to finish quickest in a time of 1:12.31.
Heikki Kovalainen, Hamilton's teammate at McLaren, finished third while Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso was fifth quickest and BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld finished sixth.
In brighter conditions in today's practice session, Hamilton was quickest on the hard tyres but struggling with his car around the long right-hand turn at Bico de Pato, losing the back end of his McLaren on one occasion.
Massa, driving on his home circuit in Brazil, had the pace in the middle sector of the circuit, but the Englishman was faster in the final third of the lap.
If Massa wins tomorrow's race, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to seal the world drivers' crown and become the youngest ever formula one champion.
The 23-year-old Briton leads his title rival by seven points and is under pressure to secure the title after blowing a 17-point lead in the championship race last season.
Alonso, who clinched two formula one titles at Interlagos in 2005 and 2006, could come back to haunt Hamilton in tomorrow's race after the pair had a notoriously rocky relationship as McLaren team-mates last year.