Brits on Pole

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It was down to business on the third and last day of Barcelona testing but, even with most of the newbies on the plane home, the cars from the Red Bull stable were able to retain their dominance.

Is it that time already? The first winter testing session has kicked off in Barcelona with everyone from world rally champions to former GP2 frontrunners turning up to play on a cold but bright and sunny day.

Jenson Button has won a ringing endorsement from his Honda team’s management, which reckons he could take on Lewis Hamilton with the right equipment. But they are not yet certain enough to give him a 2009 contract, it would appear…

Felipe Massa got his bid to secure the 2008 drivers’ and constructors’ world championships off to a strong start today after topping the unofficial timesheets in one practice session and coming second in the other.

For Honda, the Brazilian Grand Prix will be the last chapter in a painful year and a chance to finally look towards the future, according to team principal Ross Brawn.

Both of Formula One’s championships are up for grabs at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, as arch rivals Ferrari and McLaren battle to secure the constructors’ and drivers’ titles.

Button is denying that drivers are ganging up in the paddock to steal the Boy Wonder’s pocket money. And, in the process, he takes a wonderful swipe at Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton topped the unofficial timesheets in both of today’s practice sessions ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, keeping title rival Felipe Massa and double race-winner Fernando Alonso behind him.

So, does Hamilton have any chance at all of tying up the title this weekend? Or will some combination of Massa, Raikkonen, poor tyre choices, his own team’s blunders and the race stewards prise it out of his hot little hands?

Jenson Button says he and Honda are in no hurry to sign on the dotted line for next year - but he’s looking forward to getting to grips with the changes new regulations will bring to the team’s car.