F1: Hamilton Leads Brazil P1, Vettel Second

Formula 1

F1: Hamilton Leads Brazil P1, Vettel Second

Lewis Hamilton paced opening practice at Interlagos as title contenders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso both ran in the top five...

Jared Turner | Posted November 23, 2012 Sao Paulo (BRA)

Lewis Hamilton led P1 in Brazil. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Lewis Hamilton's final race weekend with McLaren is shaping up to possibly be a memorable one.

The British driver, who is leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, topped the time sheet in Friday's opening practice at Interlagos, where the Formula One season will conclude with Sunday's Brazilian GP.

Following Hamilton (1:14:131) in the first of Friday's two scheduled practices was points leader and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel (1:14:140) who, with a finish of fourth or better on Sunday, will clinch his third straight World Championship.

Mark Webber, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso completed the top five.

Alonso, who trails Vettel by 13 points entering the season finale, faces a tall task in trying to overcome his deficit to the German.

Alonso, however, can win the championship by finishing third or better, if Vettel should finish outside the points.

Native Brazilian Felipe Massa, a two-time winner at Interlagos, spun at Turn nine with about 10 minutes left in P1. The Ferrari driver continued on, however, with no real damage.

Massa clocked in sixth quickest, followed by Romain Grosjean, Paul Di Resta, Pastor Maldonado and Nico Hulkenberg.

Jared Turner is an Associate Editor for SPEED.com, covering NASCAR and Formula One, and is an Editor for TruckSeries.com. His professional motorsports writing career began in 2005.