McLaren set the early pace
After heavy rains the previous day, the A1 Ring circuit took most of the first free practice session to see an improvement in the grip which saw the times get progressively faster as the session went on. David Coulthard was fastest in the session, the Scot reporting no problems with his McLaren other than the changing handling from the changing track conditions. Mika Hakkinen took the third fastest time with no problems either.
Irvine on form for Ferrari
"We have to learn to dial in the car to this circuit which he have not run the car one before," said Eddie Irvine, who set the second fastest time of the session and was on his way to the fastest time when a harmless spin spoiled the lap. Mika Salo's debut for the Ferrari team went well. He was sixth fastest only half a second off Irvine's best lap, the Finn running 23 laps, seven more than Irvine for the session.
Schumacher fourth for Williams
Both the Williams-Supertec chassis were running the same improved aerodynamic package that they had run in Silverstone, Ralf Schumacher setting fourth fastest of the morning , his only concern being graining of the front tyres which the team will be monitoring closely with the changing track conditions. Alex Zanardi , who has never raced at the A1-Ring before , ran 26 laps , more than any other driver, in order to familiarise himself with the track. He was eighth quickest.
Fisichella seventh
Giancarlo Fisichella, who took the pole for Benetton here last year, was seventh fastest this morning. "We did a lot of work on the aerodynamics at the Monza test which has improved the balance," said Fisichella. Wurz was unable to better 11th fastest time on his home track, neither driver having any technical problems.
In brief...
Ricardo Zonta was ninth fastest for BAR with his team-mate Villeneuve 13th, the team encouraged by their performance here and optimistic of a top 10 start for their cars on Sunday. De la Rosa parked his Arrows with an engine problem early on, the team changing it for the afternoon.
Damon Hill had three trips across the gravel traps this morning, the Englishman blaming a long brake pedal for his problems, but saying he did not want to lose the time to fix it during the session. Hill was 15th, Frentzen fifth fastest in the other Jordan. Alesi ran only seven laps when a stuck wheel nut forced the Sauber team to remove the entire upright of his Sauber.
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:13.883 210.446 kmph
2. Irvine Ferrari 1:14.220 + 0.337
3. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:14.241 + 0.358
4. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:14.604 + 0.721
5. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:14.895 + 1.012
6. Salo Ferrari 1:14.896 + 1.013
7. Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:15.035 + 1.152
8. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:15.043 + 1.160
9. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:15.173 + 1.290
10. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:15.259 + 1.376
11. Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:15.286 + 1.403
12. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:15.288 + 1.405
13. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:15.358 + 1.475
14. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:15.443 + 1.560
15. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:15.493 + 1.610
16. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:16.067 + 2.184
17. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:16.083 + 2.200
18. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:16.182 + 2.299
19. Gene Minardi Ford 1:16.357 + 2.474
20. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:16.417 + 2.534
21. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:16.643 + 2.760
22. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:17.538 + 3.655
All timing unofficial