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Why 2011 is set for a sensational final grand prix

The Friday practice data hints at a Red Bull advantage over McLaren in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, but not by much as Mark Hughes anticipates a sensational finale. Oh and if it rains, which it very well could at Interlagos, all bets are off...

We are set for a sensational sign-off to the season on Sunday.

That's the message coming through loud and clear looking at the data from Friday practice for and combining it with the latest Brazilian Grand Prix raceday weather forecast of changeable conditions interspersed by thunder storms. If accurate, that's in stark contrast to the beautiful conditions of the first practice day, during which Lewis Hamilton's McLaren was fastest in terms of headline lap times from the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

But it is the context behind those hard numbers that reveals the full story.

If we assume, as always, that Red Bull was running the low-fuel part of second practice with around 10kg more than McLaren, that would account for around 0.3s. Vettel trailed Hamilton by 0.167s, suggesting therefore that Red Bull is favourite to take its 18th pole from the 19-race season.

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