19/08/2005
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's second session, the sky is still overcast, and there is a very real threat of rain, indeed we understand that there has been rain on the other side of the city.
The other problem facing the drivers is dirt. In the first session we saw a number of spins and offs, mostly as a result of dirt on the track, and in between the two F1 sessions there has been a practice session for a (ladies) Polo race, which has resulted in even more dirt being left on the track.
As the cars prepare for the second session, the air temperature is 27 degrees C, while the track temperature is 34 degrees.
Robert Doornbos suffered a gearbox problem in the first session, which restricted his running, while we understand that de la Rosa's 'retirement' was due to a fuel pick-up problem.
Also, both Sauber drivers have been fined for exceeding the pitlane speed limit.
First out is Albers, followed by de la Rosa, Liuzzi, Villeneuve, Zonta, Karthikeyan, Raikkonen, Monteiro, Barrichello and Montoya.
As ever it's de la Rosa that sets the benchmark, the Spaniard posting a 1:28.842. Montoya and Raikkonen go second and third, giving McLaren the perfect start to the session.
Massa is one of the first to spin, though we have a feeling that we'll see plenty more. Thankfully, the Brazilian returns to the track and continues.
Montoya goes quickest with a 27.908, as Zonta goes second, however, moments later the Brazilian goes quickest, crossing the line at 1:27.194.
Elsewhere, Klien has a big off and has to return to his pit, his tyres absolutely shot.
As Zonta, Montoya and de la Rosa scrap for top spot, Alonso takes fourth, nipping in ahead of Button. Fisichella goes sixth, ahead of Ralf, Massa, Webber and Klien. Michael has been out but could only manage thirteenth.
Button continues chipping away, closing to within 1.16s of Zonta.
Kimi posts 27.969 to go fourth, as Alonso consolidates fifth with a 28.333.
Juan Pablo goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. The Colombian crosses the line at 1:26.525, to go quickest.
Michael improvers to ninth (28.670), behind his brother, as Fisichella improves to fifth with a 1:28.167.
Barrichello, who earlier this week confirmed that he is heading to Brackley next season, continues to languish at the wrong end of the timesheets. He is currently nineteenth, 3.4s off the pace.
With twenty-five minutes remaining, Raikkonen goes quickest in the first sector. He loses a little ground in the second sector, but crosses the line at 1:27.074 to go third. Meanwhile, Zonta consolidates second with a 27.037.
Ralf improves (28.641) but remains eighth, as does Barrichello (29.542), to go sixteenth.
Now it's de la Rosa's turn to go quickest in the first sector. The Spaniard finally crosses the line at 1:27.048 to take third from Raikkonen.
Other than Zonta, the McLarens are running away with this - Fisichella, fifth quickest, is 0.9s off the pace of the 'slowest' McLaren.
Busiest man, thus far, is de la Rosa (25 laps) to continues to close in on pace-setter Montoya.
With just over fifteen minutes remaining - therefore the calm before the storm - it's Montoya, de la Rosa, Zonta, Raikkonen, Fisichella, Alonso, Button, Ralf, Michael and Massa.
That said, moments later Liuzzi goes eighth with a 28.537, and teammate, and flat mate, Christian Klien goes fourteenth (28.869).
Next time around, Liuzzi goes off and takes to the grass, but he is able to continue.
de la Rosa is on a quick lap (again), but the car looks strangely 'wild' and erratic, especially in the last sector. Elsewhere, Klien has an off, but is able to continues.
Webber improves to sixth (28.120) though his teammate remains in eighteenth, 0.8s slower.
It's Michael Schumacher's turn to go off, the German having his moment at Turn 8. Like his rivals, he is able to continue.
With three minutes remaining, Zonta goes quickest, the Brazilian crossing the line at 1:26.259. However, moments later McLaren's honour is restored as de la Rosa posts 26.196.
Alonso improves, as does former teammate, Jarno Trulli. Fisichella improves, as does Button, but both drivers fail to climb any further up the timesheet.
A last gasp effort sees Liuzzi go sixth (27.578), as Zonta goes quickest in the second sector.
It doesn't look like anything special, but that's the beauty of it. Despite only being quickest in the second sector, the Brazilian crosses the line at 1:25.583, to go quickest by 0.5s. A stunning effort from Ricardo.
Consequently, McLaren has to settle for 2-3-4, as rivals Renault are seventh (Alonso) and eight (Fisichella) respectively, both over 2s off the pace.
The session ends with Zonta quickest, ahead of de la Rosa, Montoya, Raikkonen, Button, Liuzzi, Alonso, Fisichella, Trulli and Sato.
In many way, despite the new, exotic, location, it's been a typical Friday session. That said, the pace of the McLarens is frightening.