Enstone-based Renault F1 team driver Fernando Alonso lost the psychological advantage in his world title battle with Michael Schumacher when the German clocked a faster time in the second session of free practice ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
Alonso's Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella recorded the quickest time of the afternoon with Ferrari's Felipe Massa just seventh hundredths of a second adrift while Schumacher was third and Alonso fourth.
The Spaniard was almost three-tenths of a second behind Schumacher, who leads the drivers' standings from Alonso as a result of having won one race more this season.
The Brackley-based Honda team test driver Anthony Davidson recorded the fifth fastest time, with BMW Sauber's Sebastien Vettel in sixth and Honda's Jenson Button seventh.
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