Briatore: job not finished yet

A fuel pressure problem for Michael Schumacher has left the German down in 10th on the grid, six places behind Fernando Alonso, and only a bizarre set of circumstances look like allowing the Ferrari driver to come through and take the crown.

But despite the favourable situation, Briatore is refusing to take anything for granted - and insists that there is still plenty of work to do.

"We are only as comfortable as we were on Friday," he told autosport.com. "Today is Sunday. It is the day.

"Whatever happened in qualifying we still have one more race. We are trying to do our job and that is what we will do. Let's see. For the moment we are in a better position, but today is the day."

Briatore has said he is comfortable with Alonso's place on the grid, especially as his team need him to score as many points as possible for their own constructors' championship effort.

"I think Fernando is in a very good position. He will do his own race and Michael still needs to win the race and Massa finishes second.

"There is a long way for Michael to win, because Massa is not going to wait for Michael. He will do his own race. Let's see what happens."

Alonso himself is talking about a no-risks approach to today's race, with his main target just points rather than the win.

"If you take risks you are quicker, but you have less reliability," he said. "If we were in another position or already champions in Suzuka then we could take more risks here in Brazil, but we are taking things very safety and very conservatively.

"I think it's the right thing to do. In the race it doesn't matter which position we are in, as long as we are in the top eight. The aim is to be world champion, not to win the race."

When asked whether his title success last year is helping him in his preparations for today's race, he said: "No, not really.

"I think always when you fight for a championship and you have the possibility to become champion it's always the same feeling. I think it's not a help to be already in that position.

"Every year is a different feeling and a different sensation and this year is also new but maybe more relaxed than last year because I think we are doing a good job in preparing the weekend really in a nice way."