Alesi clocks fastest lap time

Suzuka:

Thirty-seven-year Jean Alesi, who's announced his retirement from Formula One, would like nothing better than to win the last Grand Prix of the season in Japan, which will also be his last race. And if the practice session on Friday is anything to go by, then Alesi certainly is in with a chance. The 5.85 km Suzuka circuit in Japan proved a testing proposition for all drivers during the practice session. And the one tested most was Tomas Enge, who spun out after 17 laps of Friday's session. But the Prost driver walked away unhurt. The day though belonged to Jean Alesi, who had the fastest lap time of 1 minute 35.45 seconds in his Jordan Honda. Williams' driver Juan Pablo Montoya chased Alesi round the circuit. But couldn't get the better of the Frenchman finishing in second place. Finn Mika Hakkinen, who scored a memorable win in the United States made it clear that he is not take things easy in his last race before a years sabbatical. The McLaren driver was the fourth fastest, three places higher than his teammate, David Coulthard. But there was disappointment for world champion Michael Schumacher, who could only find himself in eighth place after clocking the fastest time in the morning session.