Timo Glock of Germany led the way for home team Toyota in Friday's free practice for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.

Glock clocked 1 minute 18.383 seconds in the day's second session on the 4.563-kilometres course at the foot of Mount Fuji.

The Singapore GP winner Fernando Alonso came second in a Renault in 1:18.424, followed by the world title rivals Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren-Mercedes (1:18.463) and Felipe Massa in a Ferrari (1:18.491).

Hamilton had won the morning session in 1:18.910 from Massa (1:19.063).

With three races left in the season, Hamilton is at the top of the standings with 84 points for a seven-point lead over Massa, who has 77 points. BMW-Sauber's Robert Kubica (64) and Ferrari's defending champion Kimi Raikkonen (57) also have a mathematical title chance.

Hamilton won a wet Japan GP last year before blowing a 12-point lead in the final two races of his rookie season in 2007.

Another win would suit him fine as the pressure mounts of Ferrari in the closing stages of the season, with the Chinese and Brazilian GP the remaining races after the japan event.

Hamilton came third on September in Singapore to increase his lead over Massa, who finished outside the points in 13th place after a pit stop disaster, driving away with the fuel hose still attached to his car.

Ferrari are playing it safe this time around, by binning its electronic pit release system and replacing it with the traditional lollipop man.

Hamilton is bidding to become the yougest F1 champion at the age of 23 while Massa would be the first Brazilian since Ayrton Senna to win the championship.

The Japan GP weekend continues with a final practice round and qualifying on Saturday. The 67-lap race is on Sunday.