Damon Hill clocked fastest time today with a late surge in the final five minutes of practice, edging out his team mate Jacques Villeneuve. Hill's time was 1:32.159, some 0.237 seconds faster than Villeneuve. Hill commented afterwards: "The pace is definitely heating up now and everyone is getting to explore the circuit a bit more in depth, so it is getting quite exciting." Hill as also very optimistic about the race. But he added: "the real time to be satisfied will be at the end of tomorrow's qualifying session. Today doesn't really count for anything."
"I'm aware it won't help me get a grid position, but we have not had any problems. Everything is going well. That's because of all the testing and endurance running we did over the winter. But we have to capitalise on that while we have it in out favour."

Damon Hill went through the grass today, Schumacher drove his Ferrari through the gravel, but both managed to get back to the pits: " We tried a new set-up - said Schumacher - and I braked too late." He was also very optimistic about the performance of the new Ferrari: "I see light at the end of the tunnel, and it is getting brighter."

Top Six:
1. Hill, Williams Renault
2. Villeneuve, Williams Renault
3. Alesi, Benetton Renault
4. Schumacher, Ferrari
5. Barrichello, Jordan Peugeot
6. Berger, Benetton Renault

Gerhard Berger, a leading driver involved with The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), has voiced concerns about the safety of the new Albert Park track. "There are two or three places where the runoff areas should be moved," Berger said. Max Mosley, President of the FIA, has dismissed claims about the tracks safety and said today that the track is safe.