Ralf clocks fastest time in final practice

Michael Schumacher continued to have the upper hand in his title battle with Kimi Raikkonen as brother Ralf clocked the fastest time in final practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Schumacher, who needs only one point to clinch a record sixth drivers’ crown in tomorrow’s season finale, finished third fastest for Ferrari after two trouble-free sessions.

But Raikkonen lost vital track time after crashing out in the opening session when he hit the kerb at turn two on the demanding track after completing just a handful of laps.

Raikkonen’s McLaren skidded across the grass and gravel before hitting the tyres and he was forced to watch the rest of the session from the trees by the side of the circuit.

The Finn got back into the cockpit for the final session but wound up sixth fastest, over a second adrift of Schumacher’s time in the Ferrari.

Raikkonen has to win tomorrow’s race and hope Schumacher fails to finish in the top eight to become the youngest champion in history and deny the German his place in the record books.

Schumacher’s brother is threatening to do the job for him anyway after dominating both sessions today in his Williams-BMW.

The 28-year-old finished final practice just over 0.2secs ahead of Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya, whose title hopes were ended two weeks ago in the United States, with older brother Michael a few tenths further back.

Italy’s Jarno Trulli, fastest in first qualifying yesterday, was fourth quickest for Renault with Rubens Barrichello fifth in his Ferrari.

Jenson Button was the best of the Brits with 10th spot for BAR while Justin Wilson was 14th for Jaguar but just fractions adrift of team-mate Mark Webber.

Ralph Firman, like Wilson battling to save his Formula One future in the final race of their rookie season, was 17th as fellow Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella got ahead of him for the first time this weekend.