14/10/2005
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today's second free practice session, the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 24 degrees. It remains hazy, with the sun hidden by a blanket of cloud.
First out is Ricardo Zonta, followed by Doornbos, Kiesa, Albers, Liuzzi, Karthikeyan, de la Rosa, Klien and Monteiro.
The Toyota test driver posts the benchmark, crossing the line at 1:38.056, as Kiesa has a moment at the end of the main straight.
For a few moments, Liuzzi goes quickest, but he is soon brought back to earth by de la Rosa, who posts 1:37.724.
There's almost a nasty coming together as Kiesa slows, having failed to look in his mirrors and spot Liuzzi. Thankfully, the Italian is fully on the ball and avoids an incident, though he looks across at the Danish driver to make his feelings clear.
Webber goes third (37.802), as Raikkonen and Fisichella leave the pits. Elsewhere, Klien goes very, very wide on the corner that leads on to the pit straight.
As Zonta goes quickest (36.285), Pizzonia spins, then has all manner of problems trying to get going again, spinning the car on its access and somehow avoiding the on-coming traffic. However, he has damaged the right-rear suspension - the cause of the spin? - and returns to the pits.
Back on track, Kimi Raikkonen goes quickest, the Finn posting 1:34.547, as Michael Schumacher goes second (35.929).
Webber improves to fourth, while Massa goes seventh.
As Zonta goes fourth, de la Rosa improves to take second from Schumacher, giving McLaren 1-2. On track, Raikkonen is having problems getting past Villeneuve. It really is hazy out there.
McLaren 1-2-3, as Montoya posts 1:35.496, to slot in behind Raikkonen and de la Rosa. Meanwhile, Barrichello goes sixth, ahead of Webber, Liuzzi, Button and Massa.
As Barrichello goes fifth, slipping in behind Michael, Montoya goes quickest in the second sector. He loses ground in the final sector but is still able to improve and thereby leapfrog de la Rosa.
Alonso goes fifth (35.696), but he's really having to work the wheel, if you didn't know better you'd think he was back in the Minardi. Whether it's the bumps or dust, the drivers are really having to work hard here.
As the Spaniard goes fourth, Juan Pablo Montoya finally takes the top spot, crossing the line at 1:34.541.
Zonta, currently seventh, goes quickest in the first sector, then again in the second, this is a hot lap. As Fisichella goes tenth (36.227), the Brazilian goes quickest, posting 1:33.619.
Fisichella is really attacking the kerbs, and consequently improves to eighth (36.097). Meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher goes off at Turn 2, however, he's able to continue.
Michael improves (35.599), but remains sixth, behind Zonta, Montoya, Raikkonen, de la Rosa and Alonso. Teammate Barrichello also improves, but remains seventh, ahead of Massa, Button, Klien and Fisichella.
As de la Rosa consolidates fourth (34.746), Zonta goes quickest in the first sector. However, Toyota's race drivers, Trulli and Ralf are currently seventeenth and eighteenth. Sure enough, the Brazilian posts the fastest time of the day, crossing the line at 1:32.977.
Alonso goes second (34.296), as Raikkonen sets a personal best in the first sector.
As Pizzonia tries to improve on twentieth (36.987), Nico Rosberg watches impassively from the pit wall. Could this be a clue as to WilliamsF1's line-up in 2006?
A 1:34.092, sees Raikkonen take second, behind Zonta, as Fisichella goes sixth (35.277).
Coulthard goes fourteenth, as Klien - currently tenth - posts a personal best in the second sector. Elsewhere, Barrichello leapfrogs Michael to take eighth.
Coulthard spins off halfway through the first corner, the car sliding helplessly across the tarmac. Luckily it doesn't reach the kitty litter, therefore he is able to continue.
De la Rosa improves to take fourth, splitting Alonso and Montoya.
With fifteen minutes remaining, it's: Zonta, Raikkonen, Alonso, de la Rosa, Montoya, Fisichella, Webber, Barrichello, Michael and Klien.
Moments later however, Liuzzi goes seventh, posting 1:35.306 in the Red Bull.
Fisichella is on a hot lap and Villeneuve locks up as he tries to stay ahead. On the main straight the Renault closes in as though the Sauber is stationary, the Canadian, clearly flummoxed, makes a slight mistake, which allows the Italian through. Elsewhere, Alonso has his own little moment.
With eight minutes remaining, almost everyone is on track.
De la Rosa goes quickest with a 1:32.834, the Spaniard then going quicker again on the subsequent lap. Meanwhile, Klien is returning to the pits with a puncture. As his pit crew tell him to "take it easy", the tyre carcass slips from the wheel. Nonetheless, he gets back to the Red Bull garage.
It's all over for Trulli, who stops out on track. The Italian peers at the back of the Toyota, totally nonplussed, then pushes it to safety. Elsewhere, Ralf has gone off again, but is able to continue.
Button is a late improver, going seventh with a 1:35.072, as Sato takes thirteenth (35.397).
There are late improvements too from Alonso, Barrichello, Fisichella and Webber.
The session ends with Pedro de la Rosa quickest, ahead of Zonta, Raikkonen, Alonso, Montoya, Barrichello, Fisichella, Webber, Button and Massa.
Coulthard is eleventh quickest, ahead of Liuzzi, Sato, Michael, Klien, Pizzonia, Villeneuve, Ralf, Trulli, Kiesa, Doornbos, Albers, Monteiro and Karthikeyan.
Based on the initial 'evidence', McLaren is looking good, however it is clear that the condition of the track is causing problems which could become more pronounced as the weekend progresses. Time will tell.