Formula One news

Massa fastest in final practice

It wasn't one of the championship candidates that topped the time sheets, but instead it was Felipe Massa who was the fastest driver in the last free practice session of the season. The Ferrari driver was just ahead of McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. Alonso ended in eighth.

At a dry Interlagos track the third and final free practice session began on Saturday morning. The last free practice session of the season began quit. In the first minutes of the session the Brazilian fans mainly saw Spyker and Toyota drivers on track. After twenty minutes into the session the first championship contender showed himself. Kimi Raikkonen completed his fastest lap in 1.13.011. Not much later though his team-mate Felipe Massa set an even fastest time.

In the second half of the session both McLaren drivers fell further down the list as more and more other drivers managed to go even faster. With just five minutes to go Lewis Hamilton went out for one flying lap and he managed to set a lap just one tenths of a second slower than Felipe Massa. Fernando Alonso though remained in eighth position.

Robert Kubica finished the session in 20th, but the Polish BMW driver had to miss the last 15 minutes of the session as he stopped his car on track with a technical problem.

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• 08 Jan.
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  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
  • Mosley not done yet with cost cuttings
• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
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• 03 Jan.
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• 02 Jan.
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  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
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• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
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  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit

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