Interlagos, 16 October 2009

While seeing a fit looking Felipe Massa in Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team kit watching practice from the pit wall put a smile on everyone’s face, the same cannot be said for the performance of our two F60s today. Kimi Raikkonen ended the day in eighteenth place, while Giancarlo Fisichella was twentieth.

Why? A combination of circumstances: a problem on the Italian’s car, a lack of aerodynamic grip and the fact that with the Scuderia’s focus centering on the 2010 season, the three hours of free practice was also used to try out some components for next year’s car. However, as expected here, more than at any other track this season, the lap times are very close indeed, mainly down to the fact the lap is a very short one – the best time today was a 1m 12.314, set by Fernando Alonso in the Renault. So, although Giancarlo was last, he was only 0.961 seconds slower than the Spaniard. Therefore, it is to be hoped that any slight improvement for tomorrow, could see the Ferrari duo return to a more respectable position by the end of qualifying.



After Alonso came Sebastien Buemi in the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso, with local hero Rubens Barrichello third for Brawn. Next was Mark Webber in the Red Bull, followed by series leader Jenson Button, who can win the Drivers’ title on Sunday if he finishes third, whatever any of his rivals may do. Rounding off the top six is the Toyota of Jarno Trulli.

This tight pack should make for a fascinating qualifying session, where the slightest slip up could see front runners suddenly finding themselves stranded in Q1 and, as always in Brazil at this time of year, the weather could play a significant role. It was supposed to rain today, but in the end there were just a few light showers.