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Live text and TV coverage of Brazilian GP first practice, where Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso begin the 2012 title decider.

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Live Reporting

In Summary

First practice under way
Second practice starts at 1600
Vettel leads Alonso by 13 points in drivers' title
Charles Pic confirmed at Caterham for 2013
Esteban Gutierrez confirmed at Sauber for 2013

Reporting by

Lawrence Barretto, BBC Sport

1321:

Michael Schumacher having a miserable time of it at the moment. The German is lapping more than two seconds of the pace and finds himself battling with Toro Rossos and Caterhams on the timesheets. Probably not the way he would have hoped to end his career.
1319:

Kimi Raikkonen is back out on track in his Lotus which is sounding a bit better than it was earlier. The Finn encounters a bit of traffic in the form of Lewis Hamilton, though, and lap is only good enough for 16th.
McLaren on Twitter: "For all those asking: no, Sunday isn't Lewis's 'last day in the office'. He has a few appearances and will go to MTC to thank everyone too."
1317:

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel remains in the pits, but his title rival Fernando Alonso has headed out on track as we approach the final 10 minutes of the session.
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Bradley Stait on Twitter: "Next year's McLaren will be so soft on its tyres with Perez and JB at the wheel."
1316:

More from Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery: "The tyre will heat up quicker, that could lead to more degradation. The teams have been good at reducing that this season so we need to give the teams a challenge again. There is a real mixed bag of comments all the way down the pit lane. It really is a first look and it will take a little getting used to."
1315:

Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery: "The 2013-spec tyres here are a bit of a hybrid. It is the hard compound but the structure is different, the tyres weigh 1kg more. It is a chance for the teams to gain some data because the cars are not adapted to this product. The information so far has been positive. The quickest times of the day have been on the prototype."
McLaren on Twitter: "Lewis has been very reflective and thoughtful. This weekend is when it all comes to an end - it will be emotional, for sure."
1312:

Just in case you were wondering, the HRTs have some times. Pedro de la Rosa has clocked 1:17.755, which is only 3.6 seconds off the pace. His team-mate Narain Karthikeyan is a tenth further back in 24th.
1309:

Nice touch from Michael Schumacher who has emblazoned his helmet with the words: "Life is about passions, thank you for sharing mine" to celebrate his final race in Formula 1.
1306:

There are more overheating issues for Lewis Hamilton, who tells his team that his tyres were struggling after the first flying lap. The McLaren driver remains fastest, ahead of Vettel, Webber, Button and Alonso.
1303:

Last year's race winner Mark Webber has popped his Red Bull into third place, 0.067 seconds off the pace set by Lewis Hamilton. Just 0.086 seconds cover Hamilton, Vettel, Webber and Button. The Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa are four tenths further back.
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"In the old days you would put a bit of spit on the finger and touch the exhaust pipe and see which one was not working. It is all bit more technical these days with computer technology, but that has not found anything in Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus, so they are having to go back to the old days and take a look inside and see what is and is not working."
1258:

Lotus inform Kimi Raikkonen that there's still a problem with the engine and he pulls back into the pits. A tough morning for the Finn who is on a run of 16 consecutive results in the points.
PRACTICE UPDATE

Hamilton fastest, Vettel second. Raikkonen suffering engine problems. Tyres getting hot on a number of cars. 1 Hamilton 2 Vettel 3 Button 4 Alonso 5 Massa 6 Grosjean 7 Webber 8 Di Resta 9 Hulkenberg 10 Maldonado
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"It did not sound great [as Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus left the garage]. I spoke with the the team and they said they could not find anything. It is internal and obviously he will come back into the pits and if they can't find anything, that will be the day done I'd imagine."
1256:

Kimi Raikkonen finally heads out after that mystery problem with his Lotus, but he struggles to pull away from the garage and the engine sounded pretty sick as he strolls down the pit lane.
John Watson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "Kamui Kobayashi is great entertainment but one might ask has he progressed to his full potential? It is a tough world and I don't know where he could slot in. Force India and Williams, he has never been mentioned in connection with them two, and it looks to be like he does not have a natural berth to slot into."
1253:

Sebastian Vettel is looking super comfortable out there. Let's not forget he won here in 2010, and finished second behind Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber last year. The reigning world champion sets the fastest first sector of anyone, but can't quite overhaul Lewis Hamilton and stays second, 0.009 seconds behind.
1249:

Esteban Gutierrez on getting a Sauber seat for the 2013 season: "Formula 1 is different from GP2 and of course it is always a process to adapt. The good thing is I have been with the team for three years now so from a different perspective I have been able to adapt to the team and work understand how it is to work in F1. Now I will see how it is from a first person point of view. I know Nico Hulkenburg because he had a very similar career to me. It is something very positive. He is a very strong driver and I think all-in-all we can be a very strong team."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"Lewis Hamilton burst into tears in a BBC interview with Lee McKenzie on Thursday when discussing what will be his final race with McLaren, a team he has been with since he was 13 years old. He admits it will be a 'very tough' weekend. Had he got a plan for his farewell weekend, he was asked. He said he wanted to sign off 'with a win'."
1245:

Both HRTs went out on track to complete and installation lap, but we've not seen either Narain Karthikeyan or Pedro de la Rosa since. The Spanish team are facing an uncertain future after being put up for sale.
1243:

Lewis Hamilton says his tyres are overheating again as he tries to beat his previous best which he set earlier in this session. Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, does improve, moving up once place to fourth, 0.474 seconds off the pace.
Pirelli on Twitter: "Most running now are on the orange prototype to give them as much data for next year's cars as possible."
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"Lewis Hamilton is not getting to grips with this year's tyre at the minute. I'll have a look at the tyres when they come in. The 2013 tyres look like they were worked pretty hard, we don't know if these ones are being worked as hard or not, so I'll keep an eye out when Lewis comes in."
1240:

Fernando Alonso keeps plugging away in his Ferrari and improves to fifth fastest, 0.6 seconds off the pace with Hamilton, Vettel, Button and Massa all ahead of him.
John Watson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "I would imagine Fernando Alonso is going to focus on trying to get all the performance out of the car and let Felipe Massa do the testing. Fernando has looked very assured and relaxed and it is an important attitude to adopt - to be relaxed and not react to the pressure he has to deal with."
1237:

While Felipe Massa is out on the experimental 2013-spec tyres, his Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso is using the more conventional 2012-spec hard tyre. His first time lap is a 1:18.029 which is good enough for 18th.
1236:

Jenson Button is out there, too. The 2009 world champion has a great first sector and keeps it tidy in the next two to go third quickest, just 0.086 seconds behind his McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Felipe Massa is really pushing hard out there, his Ferrari attacking the kerbs. The Brazilian, whose last victory came here on home soil in 2008, has been in great form of late and could play a crucial role in his team-mate Fernando Alonso's title challenge on Sunday.
1233:

Sebastian Vettel is starting to dial himself into this tricky Interlagos track. The championship leader improves once more to close to within 0.034 seconds of leader Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, his title rival Fernando Alonso has suited up and climbed into his Ferrari. Expect to see the double world champion shortly.
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"It could be a broken exhaust pipe [on Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus]. I would doubt that though because it would be pretty negligible for that to happen this early in the session, but they are having a good look at the right-hand side at the moment."
Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen over team radio: "The engine sounds a bit funny." Race engineer: "No, there's definitely something not right."
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"It was interesting to hear Lewis Hamilton's comment about the tyres overheating, especially after the timed lap he set. When I looked yesterday, the track was pretty clean and pretty aggressive. Looking at these new tyres, they are worked pretty hard. We will see what this year's tyres do in a minute or two."
1228:

Vettel immediately improves on his next lap, clocking a 1:14.443 to go second quickest, three tenths of a second off the pace. His title Alonso remains in his garage, relaxing in his red leather chair and keeping an eye on the track action.
1226:

No sign of the championship contenders Fernando Alonso as yet. ButSebastian Vettel has just completed his first flyer, and it's a decent effort. The German clocked 1:15.909 which is good enough for third, 1.7 seconds off the pace.
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"The altitude here reduces everything - the density of air going into engines, so you use less fuel and there is less downforce because there is less drag. It is sort of invisible except to the driver. It is a different deal, trying to work out fuel consumption - it makes it a different type of circuit."
1222:

While Schumacher was fighting his Mercedes, Hamilton looks super comfortable in his McLaren. There are lots of smooth turn ins, with few corrections needed - and it pays of as the 2008 world champion goes quickest with a 1:14.131. After six laps, he reports that the 2013-spec rubber is "overheating".
1220:

Lewis Hamilton is out on track, sporting another adapted helmet design. The Briton has placed a Brazil flag on the top, which perfectly complements his yellow lid, plus a message which says "Thank you McLaren".
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Kayleigh Gray on Twitter: "Alonso for the win this weekend.. I may not have any fingernails left by the end of the race! It's going to be a good one."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"Sergio Perez's form has been under the spotlight recently - the Mexican Sauber driver has not scored a point since his move to McLaren for 2013 was announced and has been making a series of silly mistakes. Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: 'The connection supposedly between the announcement and his performances is for me not there. I think it is a coincidence. I know for sure he wants to do very well for the team, for himself because a lot of attention is put on him from his new team and also from where we end our championship position because we can still move on ahead. He wants to do the best he can and maybe he has been pushing it too much. It's possible he's putting so much pressure on himself to really deliver the best results he can that he's really pushing it beyond the line but it is definitely the intention that he really wants to do well.'"
1217:

Schumacher is really fighting his Mercedes out there - that's not the first time I've said that this season - with his silver machine slithering through the Senna S at the start of the lap. The German has to make lots of tiny corrections as he makes his way round the 4.309km track, but he clocks a respectable 1:17.437 to go second quickest.
1215:

Perez gets his braking right at the first corner on his next tour, and it pays huge dividends. The Mexican slices 1.3 seconds off his previous best to extend his lead at the top of the charts.
1214:

BBC Radio 5 live's Jennie Gow has found Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali. Here's what he has to say: "We know that it is very difficult this weekend but we have nothing to lose. Anything is possible.

"In normal conditions I would say it is very, very difficult [for Fernando Alonso to win] but we are here and believe in what we are doing. We will see when the chequered flag is out what the final outcome will be, but it is great that we are here fighting for the championship in the last race."
1212:

Bottas is the first man to set a time, but it's an unspectacular 1:21.218.Perez, who is competing in his final race for Sauber, locks his front left into sloping Turn 1, sending plumes of smoke up into the air. The Mexican keeps the rest of the lap nice and tidy, though and goes quickest with a 1:17.121.
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"The idea behind the new Pirelli tyre that is being trialled this morning is that the teams are running the current tyres at very low pressures for extra grip, which means the wear is not evenly distributed across the contact patch. The 2013 tyre has a softer tyre wall which should mean the teams can run higher tyre pressures and ensure the tyre has a bigger contact patch."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"While the performance of Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull is what puts the German in pole position to win the title, its questionable reliability is what could cost him it. Red Bull had their retirement due to a third alternator failure in Austin last weekend when Mark Webber's car ground to a halt and the team have had a series of technical issues recently. Red Bull will be using a new specification of alternator for this race, one that the other teams with Renault engines have been using for a number of races without problem, and Vettel said he was not too concerned. 'We know (Webber's failure happened),' he said. 'We're not proud of it, but confidence for this race is as high as it can be. The cars are built on the limit and we have had this problem a couple of times this year but we don't expect it.'"
1208:

Renault have made a bold decision to supply all its teams with a new specification alternator for this weekend's race. Mark Webber retired last time out in Austin when his device failed. Both Caterhams and Lotus's Romain Grosjean ran the new-spec in America with no problems, so Renault believe the safest option is to use the latest version.
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Alex Withington on Twitter: "Re 1126. Race of the season - Valencia. Seeing Alonso scythe from P11, helped by VET retirement. An amazing drive and the crowd went nuts!"
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"There are all sorts of stuff on the cars here. Jenson Button has something which looks like a torpedo mounted on the front. It is probably to measure the air flow coming off the front wing and tyre, while Mark Webber has something on the back measuring air flow to the diffuser."
1205:

A couple of seat swaps to update you on. Giedo van der Garde has commandeered Heikki Kovalainen's Caterham at a sun-kissed Interlagos. Bruno Senna has had to make way once more for the team's reserve driverValtteri Bottas.
1203:

It looks like the majority of the drivers have chosen the new orange side-walled 2013-spec tyres for their installation laps.
1201:

Paul di Resta is the first man out on track in his Force India, closely followed by the two Toro Rossos.
1200:

GO! GO! GO!

The last first practice of 2012 is go, go, go!
1156:

Commentator Ben Edwards and analyst John Watson are up and running on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra as we count down to the start of practice. You can listen to their dulcet tones by hitting play on our live coverage, which is nice.
1153:

The grandstands are filling up nicely, with plenty of banners fluttering in the wind. Many of those are for Michael Schumacher, the German seven-time world champion, who is competing in his final race before he heads back into retirement.
Fernando Alonso on Twitter: "We cannot turn back, we better fight than be dishonored by not doing it. #samurai"
1148:

Anyone remember Abu Dhabi 2010? Sebastian Vettel arrived at Yas Marina trailing Fernando Alonso by 15 points and yet he left the circuit as world champion. This time, Alonso trails Vettel by 13 points. No wonder the Spaniard is refusing to give up...
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Emma M on Twitter: "Re 1126. Abu Dhabi had to be the race of the season for me. I could barely watch the last 20 laps with Alonso catching Kimi I was so nervous."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"While there is a race and a championship to be won here in Brazil this weekend, thoughts are already turning to 2013. Pirelli has given every driver two sets of a 2013-spec tyre to run throughout Friday, and it's vital homework for everyone, even if it's a distraction Red Bull and Ferrari could probably do without. The tyre, which can be spotted by the orange letters and markings on the sidewall, will be next year's 'hard', and it has a softer sidewall construction than this year's tyres. The hope is to reduce the inner-shoulder wear that has troubled teams on several occasions this year."
1145:

Today's two practice sessions will take on extra importance as it will be the team's first chance to get their hands on the 2013-spec Pirelli tyres. The Italian manufacturer has said that next season's tyres will be very different from this year's so any data collected will be key, especially as they won't get another chance until pre-season testing begins in February.
1142:

Many of the F1 fraternity stayed in Austin for a few extra days or headed to LA or New York for a few days before flying down to Sao Paulo. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Kimi Raikkonen chose LA, and seemed to enjoy it a little too much. He missed his media briefings on Thursday because he was "delayed" and didn't arrive in the country until this morning.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"Michael Schumacher is taking part in the final race of his illustrious career here in Brazil this weekend but he was strangely unwilling to address the issue in a news conference on Thursday. He was asked for his feelings a few times by journalists keen to write 'farewell' pieces, but gave short, unhelpful answers, simply saying he was 'rather relaxed' about the situation. It's widely known that Schumacher did not want to leave F1 yet and was effectively forced into retirement for a second time by Mercedes' decision to sign Lewis Hamilton, which was at least partly precipitated by Schumacher's vacillation on his own future."
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Leanne Court on Twitter: "Schumacher's last race this weekend - sad times."
1137:

Schumacher's career has been remarkable and no driver in the history of the sport comes close to matching his statistics. The German won seven titles, two more than the next successful driver Juan Manuel Fangio. He has the most wins (91), most pole positions (68), most fastest laps (77) and most podium finishes (155). Admittedly, his "second career" didn't live up to expectations - it yielded just one podium in three years - but the statistics remain...
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"Eagle-eyed viewers will spot that the Mercedes cars in this first session - and indeed all this weekend - will be running without their McLaren/Ferrari-style downforce-producing exhausts. Mercedes have been late to a technology known as 'Coanda', where the exhaust gases are directed down to the area where the rear floor meets the rear wheels to improve downforce. Basically, they have not been able to make it work effectively and it also makes the car's already fundamental problem of excessive rear tyre wear even worse. Mercedes say that because Pirelli have supplied some 2013-spec tyres for assessment here on Friday they wanted to assess them without the exhaust queering the picture."
1133:

Michael Schumacher's hopes of a triumphant - or simply just respectable - end to his career look all but over after the team confirmed that both Mercedes will run without their Coanda-effect exhaust as they continue the battle to understand their tyre issues. Nico Rosberg was well off the pace when the team ran without it in Austin, finishing 13th after qualifying 17th. Our man Andrew Benson has more...
1130:

The Brazilian Grand Prix is a firm favourite with drivers and teams alike. The grandstands are always rammed with boisterous fans singing, dancing and generally having a great time. Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen says drivers can feel the stands "bouncing" when their on the grid while Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi simply loves everything about the country: "I like Brazil! I like the Brazilians and I like the Churrascarias (Brazilian steakhouses)," he said.
1126:

GET INVOLVED

As I said previously, it's been quite a season but I'm interested to know which race has stood out for you. Was it the rain-hit Malaysian Grand Prix when Fernando Alonso mastered the conditions to triumph? Was it Kimi Raikkonen's brilliant drive to victory - his first since his return - in Abu Dhabi? Or was it Pastor Maldonado's shock victory for Williams in Spain?

Get involved. I want to hear from you. Tweet us #bbcf1 hashtag or text 81111(UK only), remembering to put your name on those texts or they'll never see the light of day I'm afraid. Super.
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"There is finally some movement in the driver market this weekend and the number of seats still available is reducing all the time. The biggest vacancy remains the second Lotus, but it is regarded as only a matter of time until Romain Grosjean is announced as Kimi Raikkonen's team-mate again. Neither Force India driver has been confirmed, but Paul di Resta is expected to stay on and may be partnered by any one of Bruno Senna, who's also in the frame at Caterham, Adrian Sutil, Jaime Alguersuari or Sebastien Buemi. The two big losers could well be Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, who was on the podium in Japan five races ago, and Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen, who won a race for McLaren in 2008. Kovalainen is trying to put a brave face on it. 'I'm not too stressed about it,' the Finn said. 'It is what it is. If it's the last race it's a shame, but the situation is quite tricky for me and there is not much more than I can do.'"
1122:

And here's a quick word from new Sauber recruit Esteban Gutiérrez: "After three years working with Sauber I feel very grateful for all the attention I have received from everyone in the team and for all their input, which has allowed me to develop into a Formula 1 driver in a very progressive way," he said. "Now, after experiencing other categories of racing as an introduction to Formula 1, this is the start of the real challenge to succeed at the pinnacle of motor sport."
1120:

Here's what Charles Pic had to say at the announcement of his move to Caterham. "I am very excited about starting my second year in F1 with a team that has so much potential," he said. "Caterham has everything in place to help it move into a position to fight with a number of teams ahead. I know how determined the team is to keep progressing and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping them move up the grid."
BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson on Twitter: "Only 25% chance showers for quali but torrential downpours later Sat eve into Sun AM; conditions by race could still be dire."
1118:

There's been a lot of pre-race chat about wet weather hitting Interlagos this weekend. The venue is notorious for its unpredictable weather so what better place to host the title decider eh? Here's the latest from BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson....
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson in Sao Paulo

"And so it comes down to this. After the longest season in Formula 1 history, two of the three best drivers in the world are disputing the chance to become a three-time world champion at one of the sport's most atmospheric and iconic venues. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is the strong favourite to prevail, with a 13-point advantage over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. But the Spaniard is one of the great fighters and will be pushing right to the end in a place where unpredictability - particularly in terms of weather - is the norm. 'The facts are that Sebastian has a better car but they are both fantastic drivers,' McLaren's Lewis Hamilton says. 'Fernando struggled in the last race with their car but perhaps they'll be quick here. They've always been quick here, Ferrari.' The relative competitiveness of the cars will first start to become clear as Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton and the rest head out on to the track for first practice."
1114:

Crikey, it's all kicking off in Interlagos and practice hasn't even started yet. Talking of which, we've got two practice sessions - both 90 minutes long - coming up with the first beginning at 1200 GMT and the second at 1600. We've also got live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live with Ben Edwards in the box and Jennie Gow in the pits. Coverage begins at 1155.
1110:

BREAKING NEWS

And like London buses, here's another bit of breaking news for you. Charles Pic has decided to switch his black and red Marussia overalls for the green and yellow of Caterham next season.

In what looks like a sideways step from one back-of-the-grid team to another, the 22-year-old Frenchman, who has done a decent job alongside the experienced Timo Glock in his debut season, has decided he needs a change.

This is good news for British fans, of course, as it means Max Chilton, Marussia's reserve driver, is in pole position to get promoted into the race seat and make it four Brits on the grid next year.
1109:

BREAKING NEWS

This just in. I've got bad news for Kamui Kobayashi fans, I'm afraid. In perhaps the worst kept secret in F1, the Japanese driver has been given the boot from Sauber with Esteban Gutierrez getting promoted from his reserve driver role to a race seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg for next season.
1106:

We've seen 19 extraordinary races across five continents and 18 countries and it all comes down to one race at the spectacular, if a little rough around the edges, Interlagos circuit just outside Sao Paulo in Brazil. Fernando Alonso, who has claimed both his titles in the South American country, is the underdog, 13 points behind Sebastian Vettel with 25 remaining. His Ferrari has been off the pace all season and yet he's still in the title hunt. This fight is far from over.
1103:

This is it folks - the start of the final race weekend of the season. Welcome toSao Paulo. Welcome to Interlagos. Welcome to the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.
1100:

As one glittering career ends, another continues on its relentless march into the record books. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher will hang his helmet up for the second time this weekend in Sao Paulo, bringing to an end a challenge which never got out of first gear. His fellow German, Sebastian Vettel - 18 years his junior - meanwhile is on the cusp of something great. Finish fourth or higher at Interlagos and he'll become the youngest ever triple world champion. A brave Spaniard, by the name of Fernando Alonso, though, might have something to say about that...