Quantum leap for Renault
The Renault team is suddenly excited about its Brazilian Grand Prix prospects after Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli finished the final session of free practice third and fourth respectively
Button's time was just 0.14s adrift of Ralf Schumacher's 1m13.543s session-topping best for Williams-BMW and Trulli was just 0.02s slower than his team mate.
For a few moments Button topped the session before Schumacher Jr and David Coulthard improved, and Renault team manager Steve Nielsen said: "We had to dust off the old 'P1' in the box - we haven't needed it for a while!"
The new wide-angle Renault V10 is not yet believed to be up there with the most powerful of the F1 power units, so the pace of the cars has surprised some observers at a circuit where engine power is a significant part of the equation.
Michelin-shod cars took the first four places, however, and Nielsen confirmed: "The Michelin is absolutely fantastic here. We're very positive because neither car was completely empty of fuel in that session and we should have a little bit more to come. It's looking good."
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