19/10/2007
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's opening free practice session, the air temperature is 19 degrees C, while the track temperature is 25 degrees. It is unseasonably cool, and following some heavy rain earlier this morning the track is still damp, indeed, it has been declared a 'wet session'. Further downpours are forecast for the remainder of the weekend.
When the timing screens come to life they are filled with strange hieroglyphics, moments later they go blank.
First out is Yamamoto, followed by Sutil and Rosberg. One by one the cars take to the track, testing the waters, so to speak.
After ten minutes all but Fisichella have been out for an installation lap. Kazuki Nakajima, making his F1 debut, and Sato are back on track. Nakajima posts the first time of the weekend, crossing the line at 1:28.142.
Due to the conditions there is little action, which is just as well since the timing screens are still down. Funny how the timing always appears to suffer 'problems' at time such as this, remember the three title protagonists all posting exactly the same time in qualifying at Jerez in 1997?
As Trulli takes to the track it appears to be raining again, even if only one or two parts of the track. Nakajima remains quickest (26.579) ahead of Sutil. Trulli improves to second with a 27.266, as Vettel leaves the pits.
Sutil takes 0.6s out of Nakajima's time in the first sector, however, by the second split he's just 0.067s to the good. At the line the German posts 26.263 to go second, only to be instantly demoted by fellow-German Schumacher, who goes quickest with a 25.527.
Vettel goes quickest with 1:25.366 as Sutil goes cross-country. After thirty minutes, just five drivers have posted times. That said, Barrichello is on track.
The Brazilian clearly has the magic touch, for as soon as he goes quickest (24.137), the timing screens spring to life, albeit almost halfway through the session.
Bang on 'half-time', Schumacher goes quickest (22.995), ahead of Nakajima, Barrichello, Vettel, Sutil, Trulli and Yamamoto… the only drivers to have posted times thus far.
A 23.571 sees Button go second, as in the McLaren pit Hamilton chats to his mechanics, showing no signs of going to work anytime soon.
As Rosberg goes ninth, then improves to second (23.104), Kovalainen and Webber leave the pits. Slowly, more and more drivers are coming out to play, even though conditions are not improving significantly.
Proof that all you need to make a crap car look good - other than a decent livery - is rain, is delivered when Barrichello goes quickest again, crossing the line at 22.800.
Webber goes fourth, behind Barrichello, Schumacher and Rosberg, as the McLaren, Ferrari and BMW drivers wait resolutely in their garages.
With twenty-five minutes remaining, Schumacher goes quickest (21.977). Meanwhile, in the McLaren garage, Lewis Hamilton dons his helmet and climbs into his car… and waits. Finally, five minutes later, the silver, red and black car heads down the pitlane.
As the World Champion leader begins his 'out' lap, the order is: Schumacher, Webber, Trulli, Barrichello, Button, Sato, Kovalainen, Rosberg, Liuzzi and Coulthard.
No major offs thus far, just a few minor mishaps. Barrichello gets a bit out of shape at the first corner but controls it like the professional he is.
Hamilton's first lap sees him go sixteenth, however, it's only his second ever lap here. Elsewhere, as Rosberg goes quickest in the first two sectors, Yamamoto goes off, but is able to continue.
Rosberg goes quickest with a 21.629, as Hamilton goes quickest in the final sector, going fifteenth overall. Elsewhere, Schumacher reclaims the top spot with a 21.257.
With just over fourteen minutes remaining, Raikkonen puts his helmet on. Elsewhere, Schumacher spins off, however, he is able to continue.
As it happens, Massa is on track before his Ferrari teammate, as Rosberg goes quickest in the first two sectors. As the Williams driver sets a new benchmark (21.064), Massa begins his first flying lap of the weekend.
The Brazilian goes fifth, splitting Trulli and Barrichello. Next time around, having gone quickest in the final two sectors, Massa improves to third with a 21.349. The replay shows a bit of a moment where the Brazilian cuts across in front of one of the Spykers, let's hope that doesn't lead to recriminations.
As Raikkonen heads down the pitlane, his teammate goes quickest, crossing the line at 20.373, almost a quarter of a second ahead of second-placed Rosberg.
Another lap, another improvement, as Massa posts 20.310. However, all eyes are on Raikkonen, the Finn clearly struggling for grip. A 22.992 sees the World Championship hopeful go eleventh, as Heidfeld, Kubica, Alonso and Fisichella remain the only drivers who have not posted a time, with four minutes remaining.
Raikkonen goes second with a 20.802, albeit 0.802s off his teammate's pace, the Brazilian having just improved to 20.062. Elsewhere, Hamilton is back on track.
Raikkonen goes quickest in the first sector, as Hamilton improves to thirteenth (22.751). The Finn is quickest in the second sector, finally crossing the line at 19.580, to go quickest.
Next time around Hamilton improves to fifth, but Raikkonen isn't done yet, going quickest again in the first sector. He fails to improve, but he's proved his point, having taken an early advantage.
Vettel spins off and is lucky to keep it out of the barriers, elsewhere Fisichella also spins.
The session ends with Raikkonen quickest, ahead of Massa, Kovalainen, Rosberg, Hamilton, Schumacher, Vettel, Webber, Trulli and Liuzzi.
To check out our Interlagos practice gallery, click here