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Hamilton sets fastest time at Interlagos

Lewis Hamilton started his weekend in Brazil well, recording the fastest time in practice before the last Formula 1 race of the season at Interlagos on Friday.

He also escaped a penalty that could have jeopardized his title chances.

The McLaren star was one of three drivers who used an extra set of wet tires in the opening practice, along with Honda's Jenson Button and Super Aguri's Takuma Sato.

However, FIA decided on a 15,000 euro (US$21,400) fine to the teams, and spared the drivers from any penalty.

The 22-year-old Hamilton is trying to become the first rookie to win the title and the youngest F1 champion ever, overcoming Alonso's feat in 2005. A title would make Hamilton the first British F1 champion since Damon Hill in 1996.

Hamilton impressed everyone by putting together a record-breaking streak of nine consecutive podiums to start his rookie season, finishing in the top-two spots in six of his first seven races.

Things changed quickly for the young Briton, though, and the task doesn't seem that simple anymore.

Hamilton has a four-point lead over teammate Fernando Alonso, winner of the last two world championships, and seven over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, the only other driver in contention.

To secure the title without depending on the fate of others, Hamilton must finish first or second in Brazil. But after the impressive run in the first seven months of the season, Hamilton has only finished in the top-two three times in his last nine races.

He won the Hungarian GP, was second in Italy and first in Japan. In the other races since the impressive start, Hamilton finished ninth, in the European GP, and picked up his first DNF of the season by running off the track into a gravel trap at the Chinese GP two weeks ago -- a mistake that cost him a chance to clinch the title in advance.

"All the pressure was building up and everything was going on," Hamilton said. "It wasn't a great weekend."

The rookie said he is much calmer entering the Brazilian GP, however.

"I feel a bit more relaxed this weekend, quite a bit more relaxed than I did at the last race," Hamilton said.

Hamilton shouldn't panic just yet.

His point-advantage is still significant, and he can win the title even by failing to finish among the leaders today. A sixth-place finish will be enough, for example, if Alonso is third or worse and Raikkonen doesn't win the race.

"I'm very anxious, like everyone else is too, probably," Hamilton said. "I feel it's going to be a good weekend and I'm very, very confident."

It has been a rocky season for Hamilton despite his success.

His McLaren team was fined a record US$100 million by the World Motor Sport Council on Sept. 13 after Formula One's governing body FIA found the team guilty of using leaked data from Ferrari. The British team was kicked out of the manufacturers' championship by FIA, but Hamilton and Alonso were not docked points.

Hamilton also had a difficult relationship with Alonso after the Spaniard complained McLaren was not giving him enough respect.

Hamilton downplayed the rift, however, saying their relationship was "as good as ever."
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