Hamilton escapes punishment

McLaren, though, have been fined 15,000 euros (£10,445) for using two sets of wet-weather tyres on Hamilton's car in first practice at Interlagos.

Hamilton said: "We did a slow out lap on wet tyres, then came in and went out on another set. It was an easy mistake to make. We didn't do it intentionally and there wasn't any benefit."

The same penalty applies to Honda and Super Aguri as Jenson Button and Takuma Sato also breached the Formula One sporting regulations that state only one set can be used in Friday's two sessions.

All three teams also have to return one set of wets to ensure no advantage is gained by using part-worn wet tyres.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis added: "It was a 100% team mistake. Lewis did an installation lap on one set of wet tyres and we just put on another set. It was nothing to do with Lewis. It wasn't as if there was any advantage, but it's clearly a breach of a rule."

Hamilton, who will win the title on Sunday if he finishes at least second, can take heart from his first outing on this circuit having posted the fastest time of the day in practice.

Leaden skies and light rain had dominated the first session, but on a drying track in the afternoon, he was quickest with a lap of one minute 12.767secs.

Team-mate and chief title rival Fernando Alonso, who completed only an installation lap in the morning run, was second fastest, just 0.122secs down on the 22-year-old Briton he trails by four points in the standings.

Then came the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, who had been quickest in the wet in the initial 90-minute period.