Lewis Hamilton still expects Red Bull to be quickest in Brazil

Hamilton was fastest ahead of the two Red Bulls in today's afternoon session.

"The car's been pretty good today," he said.

"My second lap on soft tyres seems really good and I'm quite comfortable with the set-up changes I made going into the session, and the long runs also seemed to be quite competitive.

"You always want to know what the Red Bulls are doing - they always seem to be a second faster so you assume they're doing a lighter-fuel run than everyone else.

"But we were a similar pace to the Ferraris so we're there or thereabouts.

"I think the Red Bulls will still be quicker in race pace.

"I might be wrong, but I'm just thinking about how you usually see it. I might be surprised. The car feels really, really good on low fuel and high fuel."

But Hamilton reckons that with most expecting rain at some point later in the weekend, today's result could prove largely irrelevant.

"If it stays dry, I think we're in a strong position to be in the same position we were in at the last race," he said.

"But the Red Bull will still be very quick and Ferrari look good this weekend as well. But the long-run pace was looking good and the tyres are lasting well, but it's potentially going to rain so you really don't know what to expect.

"I'm just trying to get the car balanced in anticipation of it also being wet on Sunday."