Schumacher enjoys 'normal' Friday

Schumacher posted the third fastest time of the day.

World champion Fernando Alonso was fourth after completing just five laps, half the number done by Schumacher - the man he must beat on Sunday.

Schumacher leads Alonso 7-6 on race wins after pulling level on 116 points with two rounds of the championship remaining.

He can clinch a record eighth title on Sunday if he wins and the Spaniard fails to score.

"We could get a picture (of the situation)," said Schumacher after practice. "Of course I cannot tell you exactly what we can judge of the others, because it is too early as we need to analyse the data.

"I was in the car a lot so I could not see the others much. But everything was normal."

When asked if he expected Renault and Ferrari to be on top, he said: "I don't think it would be a surprise if it was exactly like this. I think that Renault and us are fighting for the top positions, and I don't know if someone else could come into the fight now."

The German, however, is not ruling out McLaren from the fight following Kimi Raikkonen's impressive win at Suzuka last season. 

"I would not write them off at all. Renault and us are fixed at the top and from time to time McLaren can be there. Now I see the weather is going to be right, I am looking very much forward to this race."

Schumacher's teammate Felipe Massa was second quickest.