Red Bull fastest in Brazil practices

Red Bull dominated the first two practices ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian GP. Sebastien Vettel was first in both sessions, followed by his team-mate Mark Webber. In the afternoon session the Red Bulls were being edged by the Ferraris and the McLarens but managed to extend their lead after everyone switched to the super soft tyres.

In the 90 minute session Fernando Alonso was back in the front pack. The Spaniard was third after his Ferrari had engine problems in the morning session. Alonso was forced to parke his car out on track in the final minute of the first session due to concerns over the engine. Nevertheless, the team had already stated that it would change the engine in his car before this afternoon's FP2.

After the firs two sessions Lewis Hamilton stated that he was satisfied with the modifications McLaren made to its floor. He was fourth in the afternoon session, a position lower than he managed in the morning session. Complaining with lack of rear grip, his team-mate, Jenson Button was only seventh behind Massa and Kubica.

In front of his home crowd Felipe Massa improved in the afternoon on his 14th place of the first practice session. Still, the Brazilian's session ended half an hour early when he reported a problem with the clutch and stopped on the back straight.

The top ten in the second practice session was completed by Nick Heidfeld, Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher.

Renault’s Vitaly Petrov made yet another visit to the wall (third in the last three venues of the championship), this time it was at the Ferradura right hander in Interlagos. This situation might even worsen his chances of staying in Renault next season.