Renault's Fernando Alonso set the pace in Brazilian Grand Prix practice yesterday while home hero Felipe Massa lapped comfortably quicker than title favourite Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso, who took his two Formula One titles at Interlagos in 2005 and 2006 but is out of the reckoning this time, set a best time of one minute 12.296 seconds on a damp and blustery afternoon.

Ferrari's Massa was fastest in the morning in 1:12.305 and led the timesheets after lunch until Alonso put in a late quick lap.

The Brazilian, seven points behind McLaren's Hamilton, is embarking on the final stage of what some see as a Mission Impossible to prevent the 23-year-old becoming Formula One's youngest champion tomorrow.

Hamilton, who blew his title chance in the Brazilian season-ender last year, was second in the morning and ninth in the afternoon after repeatedly locking his brakes on the wet track.

Ferrari's outgoing champion Kimi Raikkonen was third and fourth respectively.

Hamilton need only finish fifth tomorrow to be champion, even if Massa wins his home race as expected, and will be unlikely to push too hard in what will be the second race for his Mercedes engine.

Both the Ferraris have new engines for Brazil, a boost for their bid to retain the constructors' championship. They lead McLaren by 11 points with a maximum 18 to be won.