with the new engine reuse rules, practise times aren't really going to mean anything. quali is going to be much better indicator.
i wouldn't count hamilton out. after all, he out drove alonso several times when they were team mates. But as money and popularity increased, he changed a bit.
btw, over on m3forum.net we have a free f1 game(which i won last year ). all you have to do is register and pm your top 8 picks for the race. i won $70 at speedgear.com and a formula 1 dvd.