Brazilian Grand Prix - Practice

1 month ago 17th Oct 07:40

Heikki Kovalainen gives his pre-race thoughts ahead of Sunday’s Brazil Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets in second practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix as all three title hopefuls finished in the top seven.

Rubens Barrichello was third fastest for Brawn GP, 0.145 seconds off the pace while championship leader Jenson Button set the fifth fastest time. Red Bull's title-chaser Sebastian Vettel was seventh quickest.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi was an impressive second with Red Bull's Mark Webber splitting the Brawns in fourth.

Button will win the world championship if he gets a podium finish in Brazil and the Englishman can also triumph if his two title rivals, Barrichello and Vettel, fail to score heavily.

Ross Brawn told the press "I think it needs a problem for either Rubens or Vettel to catch him" the Brawn team boss added "I must admit, I was impressed with Jenson today. He worked well on the car, and he was quick and consistent.

Alonso set the day's fastest lap late on with an impressive effort of one minute 12.314 secs, which was quicker than Felipe Massa's 2008 pole lap for the Prancing Horse.

The Red Bull pair of Vettel and Webber set the early pace with McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen enjoying a brief cameo appearance at the top of the timesheets. Buemi led then Button snatched top spot after 25 minutes, and the world champion elect then promptly improved.

Button was happy with the harder tyres after struggling with them during the last two races, Barrichello preferred the softer tyre.

Buemi responded to Button's challenge holding onto top spot for almost an hour before Alonso stole top spot at the death.

With less than a second separating the entire field Sunday promises to be a competitive grand prix will be

Button certainly put in the effort in his Brawn with 45 laps as he sought to iron out his problems with both oversteer and understeer.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who famously clinched the 2008 drivers' title in a last lap drama at Interlagos, had a quite afternoon as he cruised to the 10th fastest lap time.

Get behind the wheel with Heikki as he gives the 'Inside Track' ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix.