UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Prac 1.1: Wurz fastest

But Ferrari revival on?

A relatively incident free first practice session for the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring saw McLaren third driver Alexander Wurz continue his impressive Friday form.

His fastest lap (1:31.670), set in the frantic last seconds of the hour, was almost a second quicker than the second man, Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari (1:32.578).

The Ferrari's of Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, who finished fifth fastest, looked quick from their first appearance, indicating that the much talked-about 'resurgence' promised this weekend could be a reality.

Toyota test-driver Ricardo Zonta finished third, after almost equalling Schumachers time, with McLaren's Juan-Pablo Montoya in fourth, Barrichello, and Monaco winner Kimi Raikkonen in sixth place, all within half a second of Zonta's time.

The BMW Williams of Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld looked to be struggling slightly, finishing in 7th and 9th places, as did the Toyota race drivers, Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher, who were clearly not running the level of engine tune that their third driver was able to.

Christian Klien, sidelined for a fourth race in favour of Tonio Liuzzi, emerged as fastest of the Red Bull drivers, while Jacques Villeneuve and Felipe Massa, following their coming together at Monaco and the dressing-down that followed, looked equally matched but unthreatening.

The lower order teams were the only ones to show in the first half of a largely quiet session, with Minardi proving that the eclipse of Jordan in Monaco qualifying was no flash in the pan.

Patrick Friesacher in particular looked able to mix it with the yellow cars, finishing just behind Tiago Monteiro, but ahead of Franck Montagny, the Frenchman making his first appearance as Jordan third driver.

Notable by a lack of running were the Championship leader, Fernando Alonso, and his Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, both of whom did not attempt to set a time.

Fisichella did venture out on an installation lap, and was almost taken out by Renault-contracted Jordan test driver Montagny in a potentially embarrassing incident.

Perhaps most notable by their absence from the session were the returning BAR Honda team, back after a two race ban for the 'fuel tank' scandal.

Neither Jenson Button or Takuma Sato set a time during the session, perhaps hindered by having to use the same engines that were last used a month ago during their last appearance.

Engine conservation could be the main talking point during free sessions this weekend, as the Nurburgring does not allow for the generous de-tuning of power-plants that led to the busy sessions witnessed in Monte Carlo.

Renault, meanwhile, will be looking for a solution to the crippling tyre wear problem that hindered them so badly around the streets of the principality.

Written: Fri, 27 May 2005 10:39:36