Sao Paulo - Local hero Felipe Massa had a perfect start into the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix weekend when he beat world championship rival Lewis Hamilton for first place in the opening practice session on Friday.

Massa clocked 1 minute 12.305 seconds in his Ferrari for the 4.309-kilometres lap on the Sao Paulo course.

The Briton Hamilton had 1:20.495 minutes in a McLaren-Mercedes and dethroned 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen of Finland recorded 1:12.507 for third place in the second Ferrari.

Hamilton takes a seven-point lead over Massa into the season-ending race as he bids to become the youngest world champion in F1 history at age 23. He requires fifth place to secure the title if Massa wins the race.

Last year Hamilton also led by seven points but Raikkonen stole the title by winning the Brazil race.

A second practice session was set for later Friday, qualifying is Saturday and the race on Sunday. (dpa)