08/10/2005
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's first free practice session, the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is also 22 degrees. And it's raining.
Jarno Trulli is first out, followed by Doornbos and Ralf Schumacher. McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya is another early riser, as is Minardi's Christijan Albers. Kimi Raikkonen is also eager to get out there, as is the 'rain-master', Michael Schumacher.
Whereas most of the drivers return to the pits after their installation lap, Jarno Trulli continues around, however he pulls into the pits at the end of his next lap and fails to post a time.
As it is, it's Michael that posts the first time of the day, the German crossing the line at 1:46.543.
Next time around however, the German goes off in the first sector hitting the tyre wall, bringing his session to a very early end. It looks as though there's a fair amount of damage to the front suspension.
As the rain continues to fall, and the yellow flags are waved as Schumacher's car is removed, the rest of the drivers wait in their garages.
Finally, David Coulthard opts to venture out. He continues around and posts the second time of the day, crossing the line at 1:54.592. Next time around, the Scot 'improves' with a 1:53.346, as the rain appears to fall even harder.
Massa comes out for an installation lap, as does Albers, but with fifteen minutes remaining nobody seems prepared to go for a time.
Albers comes out again and this time completes a lap, posting a 1:54.254. This prompts Doornbos and Villeneuve to get to work.
As Albers improves with a 1:52.700, to go second, Pizzonia, Button and Raikkonen sense that conditions could be improving and therefore leave the comfort of their garages.
Karthikeyan goes third (52.827) as more and more drivers emerge from their garages.
Raikkonen goes sixth (58.829) ahead of Pizzonia (2:01.207). However, Montoya posts a 1:49.097 to go second. A brave lap. Next time around, it is his teammate that improves, crossing the line at 1:48.729 to go second. Meanwhile, Pizzonia goes fourth (50.537).
Barrichello goes seventh, behind Karthikeyan, as the session comes to a close.
Michael Schumacher tops the timesheets, despite having completed just one flying lap, ahead of Raikkonen, Montoya, Webber, Pizzonia, Karthikeyan, Barrichello, Button, Monteiro and Albers.