29/07/2005
NEWS STORY
With three minutes to go before today's second free practice session gets underway, the air temperature is 36 degrees C, while the track temperature is 49 degrees.
When the pitlane lights turn green, this morning's pace-setter, Alexander Wurz, is first back out on track, followed by Doornbos, Zonta, Albers, Raikkonen and Karthikeyan.
Although Wurz posts the benchmark (25.438) this is quickly beaten by Raikkonen, who crosses the line at 1:24.008. The Finn clearly means business.
Moments later however, Wurz reclaims the top spot with a 1:23.916. But the Austrian's glory is short-lived as Montoya goes even quicker (23.112) to give McLaren a 1-2-3.
Behind the McLarens, it's Zonta, Doornbos, Albers and Karthikeyan, as Ralf, Massa, Monteiro and Kiesa come out to play.
A 1:23.482 sees Zonta go third, ahead of Raikkonen, who is also leap-frogged by Trulli (23.965).
The yellow flags are out as Michael Schumacher stops in the second sector (Turn 5). There is clearly a problem with the Ferrari and the World Champion is unable to continue. He stands forlornly as the marshals push his car out of the way. This is a disaster for the German and for Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Button goes third, but is soon demoted by Ralf Schumacher, as Wurz consolidates top spot with a 1:23.001. Trulli is sixth, ahead of Barrichello, Raikkonen and Heidfeld.
Barrichello improves to third (23.063), as Zonta goes quickest in the second sector, where Schumacher appears to be remonstrating with the marshals. Zonta goes quickest (22.703), as Fisichella goes fifth (23.332).
Montoya goes quickest in the first and second sectors, finally crossing the line at 1:21.662. That's 1.041s quicker than second-placed Zonta.
Raikkonen improves (21.720) giving McLaren a 1-2. Meanwhile, Trulli improves to fourth, ahead of Barrichello, Wurz and Fisichella.
After thirty minutes it's: Montoya, Raikkonen, Zonta, Trulli, Barrichello, Coulthard, Alonso, Wurz, Ralf and Fisichella.
A 1:22.861 sees Heidfeld go sixth, as Button posts 1:22.544 to go third.
The team has got Schumacher's Ferrari back to the pits, the pit crew swarm over the car like worker ants.
It's a 1-2-3 for the Woking boys again as Wurz goes third with a 1:22.407.
Having gone quickest in the first sector, Juan Pablo Montoya loses ground in the second, and again in the third, consequently he fails to improve.
Rubens Barrichello goes third (21.914), as the Ferrari mechanics continues to work on his teammate's car. Other than the World Champion, the only other driver that hasn't posted a time is Nissany.
Kimi Raikkonen goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. He finally crosses the line at 1:21.281, to go quickest.
Jarno Trulli goes quickest in the second sector, crossing the line at 1:21.410 to go second.
After the inevitable lull, the drivers prepare for their final runs, knowing that they have just ten minutes in which to make the best tyre choice - the decision having to be made by 09:00 tomorrow.
Ralf Schumacher goes third with a 1:21.631, which puts Toyota 2 and 3.
It's all over Fisichella, as the Italian spins off at high-speed, though he somehow manages to avoid hitting the wall.
There's still no sign of Michael Schumacher coming back out, though his crew continues to work on his car.
It's a Toyota 1-3-4 as Zonta goes quickest with a 1:20.409, out-pacing Raikkonen by 0.872.
Wurz is hell-bent on upholding McLaren's honour though. He goes quickest in the first sector, and his second sector is good, but it all falls apart in the final sector. Meanwhile, Villeneuve goes off but is able to continue.
Wurz hasn't given up however, and next time around improves to second with a 1:20.519.
Ferrari's misery is compounded as Barrichello's session comes to an end, the Brazilian going spinning off into the tyre wall. It looks like a bust night for the Ferrari crew.
The session ends with Zonta quickest, ahead of Wurz, Raikkonen, Trulli, Ralf, Montoya, Barrichello, Alonso, Button and Klien.
No times from Michael Schumacher, who suffered a mechanical problem, or birthday-boy Nissany.