Published: Friday October 2, 2009 MYT 11:58:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 2, 2009 MYT 12:40:37 PM

McLaren's Kovalainen quickest in Japan GP practice Fri

SUZUKA, Japan: McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen set the fastest time in Friday's wet opening practice session for this weekend's Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.

Kovalainen set a time of 1 minute, 40.356 seconds -about 10 seconds off the times expected in dry weather - around the Suzuka circuit, which is back in use for the first time in three years.

Williams' Kazuki Nakajima was second quickest in front of his home fans, with Force India's Adrian Sutil third.

Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello was ninth on the timesheets, outperforming title rivals. Teammate and championship leader Jenson Button was third last and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel just one place better.

Finland's McLaren Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen sends a large spray of water as he races during the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, in Suzuka, central Japan, on Friday - AP

Button leads Barrichello by 15 points and can clinch the title here if he scores five more points than the Brazilian. Brawn too is poised to seal the constructors' championship at this race.

Red Bull must score at least seven points more than Brawn this weekend to retain a mathematical possibility of catching the leaders.

Giancarlo Fisichella had his best outing since switching to Ferrari, placing fourth in the timing, ahead of Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi.

Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen got his first track session since learning he would be replaced at season's end, and was eighth.

The man who will take his seat at Ferrari - Renault's Fernando Alonso - was seventh best.

McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland eats ice cream at his motor hojme at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, on Thursday. The Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi

Lewis Hamilton, winner of last weekend's Singapore GP, was sixth fastest in his McLaren.

The wet-weather practice could prove to be of little more than academic interest.

While some morning rain is forecast ahead of Saturday's qualifying, dry weather was expected for Sunday's race.

Kamui Kobayashi was 19th of 20 on the timesheets, after filling in at Toyota on short notice following the withdrawal of Timo Glock through illness.

Toyota expects Glock to be fit by Saturday. - AP

Formula One practice results Friday for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at the 5.807-kilometer (3.608-mile) Suzuka circuit (with driver, country, car, fastest lap time and laps completed): First Session

1. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, McLaren, 1 minutes 40.356 seconds, 24 laps.

2. Kazuki Nakajima, Japan, Williams, 1:40.648, 18.

3. Adrian Sutil, Germany, Force India, 1:40.806, 14.

4. Giancarlo Fisichella, Italy, Ferrari, 1:40.985, 27.

5. Sebastien Buemi, Switzerland, Toro Rosso, 1:41.421, 26.

6. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren, 1:41.443, 15.

7. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Renault, 1:41.532, 22.

8. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, 1:41.577, 25.

9. Rubens Barrichello, Brazil, Brawn GP, 1:41.821, 19.

10. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Williams, 1:42.188, 20.

11. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, 1:42.332, 10.

12. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Italy, Force India, 1:42.275, 15.