The 'war of words' between Giancarlo Fisichella and Jacques Villeneuve, which began last weekend when the Italian accused the former World Champion of blocking him whilst on a qualifying lap, continues.

In the closing moments of today's free practice session the Canadian looked set to post a time which would put him in the top five, along with his teammate, Nick Heidfeld. In the first two sectors the BMW drivers posted almost identical times, before the 1997 World Champion went off into the gravel trap.

"I was blocked by Fisichella," said the Canadian. "Not a very kind move, particularly if you remember what happened last week at the Nurburgring."

On Thursday, Fisichella, whose official complaint to race stewards at the Nurburgring led to Villeneuve losing two grid spots, was still of the opinion that the BMW driver hadn't been adequately punished.

"He just went from eighth to ninth," the Roman complained. "They should have cancelled all the lap times and started him from the back of the grid."

Ho hum.