Alonso quickest in final Canada GP practice

MONTREAL, June 24 (Reuters) Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso set the pace as Renault dominated final practice for the Canadian Grand Prix.

Under bright, sunny skies the 24-year-old Spaniard lapped the 4.3km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in one minute 15.455 seconds, 0.066 seconds quicker than his Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

Alonso is chasing a fourth consecutive win on Sunday at a Montreal circuit that has not been kind to him having failed to reach the finish in three-of-four career starts in Canada.

Canada's Jacques Villeneuve brought the large crowd to its feet pushing his BMW Sauber to the third best time at his home grand prix and on the circuit named after his late father and Ferrari great Gilles.

The 1997 world champion was followed on the time sheets by team mate Nick Heidfeld and last year's winner Kimi Raikkonen of Finland in a McLaren.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was sixth fastest, the seven times world champion underlining his determination to claim an historic win in Canada.

Schumacher will become the first driver to win the same grand prix eight times if he triumphs in Canada. The German needs the victory, with Alonso 23 points clear in the championship after eight races.

Canada is the halfway mark in the 18 race season.

REUTERS DH RK2113