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SAO PAULO : Two-times world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso threw a 'spanner in the works' on Friday when he clocked the fastest time in second free practice for Sunday's world title showdown Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Renault driver, who won two of the last three races in an end of season resurgence, secured the top spot with an inspired effort in the closing seconds of the Friday afternoon session to outpace home hero Felipe Massa.
Massa, the 27-year-old Ferrari driver, who is bidding to win and close a seven points deficit on championship leading Briton Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, was second fastest.
Hamilton who needs to finish only fifth or better to become the youngest champion and the first black champion in Formula One history, finished up with the ninth best time after a session spent evaluating tyres and set-ups ahead of the race.
Italian veteran Jarno Trulli was third fastest for Toyota in the afternoon run ahead of Massa's Ferrari team-mate - outgoing champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton was never as competitive as he had been in the morning session and lapped more than half a second slower than he had in the earlier period.
He was also not involved in the rush at the end of the session when the top time was claimed by Massa, then Trulli and German Nico Rosberg of Williams, before Alonso leapt to the top.
Much of the afternoon's running was spoilt by steady drizzle that led to many drivers spinning on the track and it was when Alonso switched back to softer tyres for a final run that he claimed his best time.
Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Finn Heikki Kovalainen was only able to clock the 15th best time as the team concentrated on their own programme of preparations rather than trade times.
Earlier, in the morning session, Massa had clocked the fastest time ahead of Hamilton.
- AFP /ls
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