JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
Venue: Suzuka ** Dates:** 2-4 October 2009 Coverage: Comprehensive live coverage of Friday practice, Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race - which starts at 0600 BST - across BBC TV, radio and online platforms.Find full listings here
By Chris Whyatt
**Jarno Trulli topped final practice for the Japanese Grand Prix as sunshine at Sukuza afforded cars some much-needed late testing ahead of qualifying.**The Toyota posted the fastest lap ahead of Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Buemi and Williams’s Nico Rosberg after heavy rain made Friday a virtual washout.
Jenson Button, who could win the world title on Sunday, damaged his car after contact with Jaime Alguersuari.
But the championship leader recovered to post the ninth quickest time.
Bright, dry weather over the famous Honda-owned figure-of-eight circuit triggered relief for teams after downpours ruined their chances of any meaningful set-up work on Friday.
In a year when in-season testing is banned, practice is crucial in preparing aerodynamic balance and tyre strategy for the meaningful business of qualifying and the race - although given the overall limited running time, it is difficult to judge where each team is placed.
Frantic activity took place on the track and in the garages, none more so than Brawn’s after Button’s early wobble.
The 29-year-old made contact with Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso, which turned in on the Englishman’s car, on an out lap and had to immediately come back into the pits after the carbon fibre on his front wing was affected.
Though he reported understeer through the first sector after getting back out to post 25 laps, the Brawns looked in fine shape with Rubens Barrichello - who must not concede more then four points on Button on Sunday to stay in the championship race - seventh.
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, the only other driver still in with a chance of catching Button, was fourth fastest.
His team-mate Mark Webber, however, crashed into a tyre wall at the Degner curve late on in the session, an incident which Red Bull attributed to driver error.
More to follow.