McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton got the better of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel in both practice session on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton edged overall leader Sebastian Vettel by 0.009 seconds at the Interlagos circuit in the first session, and was then 0.274 seconds up on the German in the second.
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso — the only driver who can beat Vettel to the title — was fifth in both sessions.
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Hamilton, winner of Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, posted a fastest lap of one minute 14.131 seconds in session one, followed by 1:14.026 in the second session.
Behind Vettel in both sessions was Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa fourth ahead of his teammate Alonso in the second session.
Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), who is retiring after Sunday’s race, was sixth, followed by teammate Nico Rosberg, McLaren’s Jenson Button, Lotus driver Romain Grosjean and Force India’s Paul di Resta.
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Vettel heads into the season’s final race 13 points clear of Alonso as he bids for a third successive drivers’ title. If Alonso wins on Sunday, Vettel would need only to finish fourth to secure the title.