The Brazilian took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix with championship-leading team mate Michael Schumacher alongside on an all-Ferrari front row.
The Ferrari driver feels far more confident about the new Formula One season than he did last year.
A procession of barges will take nearly 7,000 athletes along the river past Paris's most famous landmarks, while more than 300,000 spectators will watch from the banks.
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher set out on the road back to Formula One on Tuesday by testing a GP2 development car in southern Spain.
Michael Schumacher was just a spectator on the pit wall as Nico Rosberg secured a first podium for the new Mercedes team at Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Formula One World champion Sebastian Vettel hailed Michael Schumacher as his hero and inspiration as the German great prepared for a final farewell to the sport at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Michael Schumacher continued preparing for his return to Formula One with a second day of kart racing in northern Italy on Thursday.
Balbir Singh, the Indian-born physiotherapist who has been at the German's side for the past 10 years, wants to spend more time with his family.
The 36-year-old, now the oldest driver on the Formula One starting grid, said his desire for success remains undimmed.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello once likened Ferrari team mate Michael Schumacher to a sumo wrestler.
The Ferrari driver is the first Formula One driver to win the same Grand Prix seven times.
Ferrari's six-times world champion Michael Schumacher starts Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix on the third row in sixth place.
McLaren accused Michael Schumacher of using tough tactics to prevent Lewis Hamilton getting past for much of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
"I think he is in the perfect position. Honestly, he has a strong car, they're very quick, very consistent," Schumacher said.
Up to three billion people are expected to tune in for the opening ceremony in Paris.
Images from the Olympics swimming action at the La Defense Arena, Paris, on Saturday.
Michael Schumacher finished third in qualifying on Saturday for his first competitive motorbike race and will start on the front row.
Karun Chandhok said it was a dream come true to turn out alongside seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher on the race track during testing.
