Kimi Raikkonen fought back in final practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, narrowly outpacing red-hot championship favourite Fernando Alonso. The McLaren driver clocked one minute 11.929 seconds at Interlagos, 0.181secs quicker than Alonso in second.
Renault's Alonso needs only to finish in the top three to become Formula One's youngest world champion at 24.
Jenson Button, fresh from sealing his future at BAR, was a creditable third fastest in his Honda-powered car.
The Briton was fifth-quickest - in a car which the team say has been modified for this weekend's race - within half a second of Alonso's pace.
Giancarlo Fisichella was fourth in the second Renault, dropping McLaren number two Juan Pablo Montoya to fifth.
And Rubens Barrichello, in his home city of Sao Paulo, offered his fans hope of a competitive showing with sixth for Ferrari, just ahead of team-mate Michael Schumacher.
Final practice times:
1. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren 1:11.929
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:12.110
3. Jenson Button (GB) BAR 1:12.148
4. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:12.158
5. Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren 1:12.292
6. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari 1:12.382
7. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:12.453
8. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:12.509
9. Antonio Pizzonia (Bra) Williams 1:12.752
10. Felipe Massa (Bra) Sauber 1:12.799
MMIX
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