Italian Giancarlo Fisichella kept Renault's title rivals Ferrari off the top of the timesheets with the fastest lap in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday.
With a possible Formula One title on the line, Michael Schumacher took an early edge over reigning world champion Fernando Alonso by posting the faster time in Friday's practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Ralf Schumacher is backing big brother Michael to win a record eighth drivers' championship and leave Formula One on a high.
A repeat of last month's Italian Grand Prix in Japan this weekend would be Michael Schumacher's dream and Fernando Alonso's nightmare.
Big-spending Toyota are looking for a podium finish in their home Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday, despite having struggled to score points in recent races.
Japan's Fuji circuit expects to be one of the biggest draws of the 2007 season when it returns to Formula One after a 30-year absence.
Honda are hopeful of maintaining their current driver line-up of Briton Jenson Button and Brazil's Rubens Barrichello for the 2007 Formula One season.
Former champions Subaru have confirmed Australian Chris Atkinson as their second driver for the 2007 world rally season.
Michael Schumacher thinks his hopes of an eighth world championship can survive a wet Chinese Grand Prix after being restricted to sixth on the grid by the Shanghai rain on Saturday.
Michael Schumacher could be lined up for a technical role at Ferrari after he retires as a Formula One driver next month
The Spyker Formula One team has confirmed they will use Ferrari engines next season.
Fast-rising British racing driver Lewis Hamilton is unlikely to make his Formula One debut for McLaren at next month's Brazilian Grand Prix.