By the end of this weekend, the Drivers' and Constructors' championships must be decided as this is the final round of the season. But if it is noticeable that there are far more media here than is usual for the Brazilian Grand Prix, a quick poll of the journalists reveals that the extra numbers are not so much due to the excitement of the duel between ourselves and our closest rivals and that between Michael Schumacher and reigning champion, Fernando Alonso but more to do with the fact that this is the final time Schumi will attend a grand prix as a race driver.

Like all great champions, Michael has had not only his fans but also his denigrators, but all agree that witnessing his sixteen year Formula 1 career will be something to remember for a long time as a special era in motor racing. Yesterday (Friday), the first day of free practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix saw Michael set the sixth quickest time on a day that started cool and damp so that both he and team-mate Felipe Massa, wearing a special green and yellow race suit to represent the Brazilian flag, did not venture out of the garage in the morning hour. In the afternoon, the local boy was seventeenth fastest.

As we have seen so often on Fridays, the free practice "podium" featured nothing but third drivers: Alex Wurz was quickest for Williams, for whom he will race next year, replacing Mark Webber. Second was Anthony Davidson for Honda with Sebastian Vettel third for BMW-Sauber who ran their cars with the message "Thank you Michael" on the rear wing in honour of Schumacher's retirement. Fourth was the Toyota of Jarno Trulli, followed by the second Honda of Jenson Button.

Jean Todt: "This is a special Friday, because even if we are trying not to think about it too much, we are well aware that this is the first day of Michael's final race weekend as a driver. Furthermore this is the final Grand Prix of what has been a very tough season, featuring moments of joy but also disappointment. It is still hard to put behind us thoughts about Michael's retirement in Suzuka, which compromised our chances of victory in both championships, especially the Drivers' one. Here our target is very clear, namely to get a one-two, which we know is an ambitious goal but one that is achievable.
 

"All our efforts and those of our technical partners, first and foremost Bridgestone and Shell, are concentrated on this task. Then we will see how things turn out depending on the race result."

Michael Schumacher: "Of course, I am well aware this is my last Grand Prix, but once I am in the car, it feels no different to any other. I am here with my family and my closest friends which makes me happy. I would like to thank BMW-Sauber for their nice gesture. On the technical front, first impressions are good: the car and the Bridgestones seem to be working well. The situation seems pretty close and from our side we are happy with the work we have done today. Our aim is clearly to try and win the Constructors' championship and that will require a one-two finish."

Felipe Massa: "We worked a lot on car set-up, which was not quite right at the start of the session, especially in terms of grip. Towards the end, we managed to improve, which makes me reasonably confident for tomorrow. My yellow and green race suit? It's a tribute to my country and I must say I am very happy to have my first race in a Ferrari in Brazil wearing our national colours."

Ross Brawn: "Fundamentally, it was a Friday pretty much like any other, at least on the technical front. The track was very dirty and all it needed was to go very slightly off the ideal line to record a much slower lap time. The cars seem reasonably well balanced and the performance of the Bridgestone tyres is also looking good."

Free practice - First session: Michael Schumacher: - - - chassis 255; Felipe Massa: - - - chassis 256; Temperatures: air 20/22 °C, track 25/30 °C; Free practice - Second session: Michael Schumacher: 6th 1.13.173 15 laps chassis 255; Felipe Massa: 17th 1.14.561 15 laps chassis 256; Temperatures: air 20 °C, track 30/27 °C