15/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today's sole free practice session, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, and the track temperature is 40 degrees. It is bright and sunny. That said, there was a heavy thunderstorm last night, which will have washed away much of the rubber that had been laid down.
The lights go green, but nobody is keen to get to work… indeed, it's silent.
Almost four minutes into the session, Christijan Albers engine kicks into life and the Midland heads down the pitlane. He's followed by Sato and Monteiro.
As it is, it is almost ten minutes into the session before the first time is posted, David Coulthard crossing the line at 1:21.369. Earlier this week it was reported - elsewhere, we might add - that DC has re-signed for Red bull for 2007. That is not true, talks are continuing.
As Liuzzi comes out to play, along with Ralf, Trulli and Button, Coulthard improves to 21.027.
Liuzzi goes second (22.783), but Ralf is already on a hot lap, having gone quickest in the first sector. The German is quickest in the second sector also, but teammate Trulli is also very quick. Sure enough, Ralf goes quickest (19.991), with Trulli going second (20.016). Button can only manage fourth, with as 1:21.216.
Next time around, Trulli takes the top spot with a 1:19.628, as Liuzzi improves to fourth, thereby displacing Button.
Villeneuve, Rosberg, Barrichello and Raikkonen are all on track, but it is Scott Speed who goes quickest, the American posting 1:18.608. Barrichello goes third, ahead of Ralf, Monteiro and Coulthard.
As Klien, de la Rosa and Michael Schumacher leave the pits, Villeneuve goes sixth, ahead of Raikkonen (20.525).
Barrichello improves to second, but is soon displaced by his former Ferrari teammate, who crosses the line at 18.664, despite having massive lock-up at Adelaide. Next time around there are no mistakes, Michael takes the top spot with a 18.214. Elsewhere however, Massa spins off, but is able to continue.
Alonso, Webber, Heidfeld and Fisichella are all on track, as Michael goes quickest in the first two sectors. However, the German aborts the lap and heads back into the pits.
And it's soon clear why… there's a fire in the back of his Ferrari. The crew puts out the fire then wheels the car back into the garage, it appears that the former World Champion's session is over.
Back on track, Massa has gone second (18.396), but Button is on a hot lap, indeed the Englishman goes quickest with a 1:17.476.
At the halfway point, it's: Button, Michael, Massa, Speed, Klien, Fisichella, Trulli, Heidfeld, Alonso and Barrichello. However, both Renault drivers are on quick laps and look likely to improve. That said, they don't.
From out of nowhere, Coulthard produces a 17.859 to go second, as the McLaren duo of Raikkonen and de la Rosa remains worryingly close to the foot of the timesheets. Coulthard is probably one of the first drivers to use fresh rubber this morning, almost all off the drivers having previously opted for used tyres as a result of the track condition following last night's rainstorm.
de la Rosa is now on a quick lap, going quickest in the first two sectors, despite the 'obligatory' lock-up. As Pedro goes third (17.653), teammate Raikkonen pops in a 17.556 to take second.
In the Ferrari garage the crew continues to work on Schumacher's car, while the German managers to hold on to sixth place on the timesheets. Back on track, Fisichella is attempting to improve on tenth, a lock up and a trip over the run-offs won't help.
It sure to be our imagination, but those BMW wings appear to be growing - that are hideous. However, if they do the job, and they're legal…
Takuma Sato has a problem, the Japanese driver appears to lose power and pulls off to the side of the track.
The air temperature has risen to 30 degrees C, and it is still only 11:53 (local time).
With just over five minutes remaining, Trulli goes quickest (17.422), but Rosberg is already on a hot lap as the final assault begins. Sure enough, the German crosses the line at 17.188 to take the top spot, but it is quickly snatched back by Trulli (17.056).
Villeneuve goes quickest in the second sector, as everyone but Michael, Massa and Trulli is on track.
Villeneuve goes quickest (17.005), and Heidfeld goes second, a 1-2 for the ugly cars. Webber goes fifth, behind his teammate, but ahead of Button.
Another lock-up for Alonso, and another trip over the run-off area, as the Spaniard fails to improve on sixteenth. Indeed, the Renault driver spins off, but is able to continue round to the pits.
The session ends with Villeneuve quickest, ahead of Heidfeld, Trulli, Rosberg, Webber, Button, Raikkonen, de la Rosa, Ralf and Coulthard.