Lewis Hamilton, in his final race with McLaren, topped the timesheets in the first practice session of the Brazil Formula One Grand Prix, as the big guns Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso jostled for brownie points ahead of the final race of the season that will decide the drivers' championship winner.
Hamilton, who will drive for Mercedes next season, timed 1m 14.131s, 0.009s ahead of Red Bull's Vettel. The German's teammate Mark Webber was third with Jenson Button of McLaren and Ferrari's in fourth and fifth respectively.
All eyes were also on Michael Schumacher, who will end his stellar career after the race on Sunday. "I guess I do have some experience and that's why, probably, I'm rather relaxed about the happenings," Schumacher said. "On top of that, we are not in any championship fight compared to last time that happened to me, obviously.
"So, I'll just take the best out of it and enjoy it as much as I can.
"Will there be a sadness? Probably not, no. I've tried that mission, to end successful. It didn't work this time but I'm quite happy to finish from here and go for a different life again."
Hamilton, who will replace Schumacher at Mercedes, admitted it would be an emotional weekend. "This is quite a unique experience for me," Hamilton said. "I've obviously never been in the situation I'm in this weekend, where it's my last race for the team I grew up in.
"It's going to be a tough one. Nonetheless, we're going to push as hard as we can, as we did in the last race, and try to win. I've never won here before. So I'm going to have to try and beat Felipe (Massa), as he also wants to win it. It's such a beautiful race here so hopefully the weather will hold up for us.
"I only have good memories of my time at McLaren. I leave with just the greatest memories, the best experiences and hopefully a lot of good friends I will continue to be friends with throughout the future.
"I was just saying to them that even though I'll be with Mercedes, I'll probably keep coming back to have lunch and dinner back at the hospitality because the food's great there. So, I hope Mercedes' hospitality lives up to the one we have.
"I think I'll take away only the positive memories of our journey together. Obviously winning the world championship, winning my first Grand Prix, starting out together and I guess this weekend."
To watch second free practice session of Brazil GP, click here.
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