Irvine stays on top
Eddie Irvine continued to head the list of times at the end of the first day's practice for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver continuing to improve his car and his times despite a harmless spin at one stage during the session. "On my best lap I had to lift off for Alesi otherwise I could have been even quicker," says Eddie. Michael Schumacher slipped back to third fastest, 0.7s slower than Irvine, but reported that he was happy with his car on which he ran the same tyres all day. "So far things are looking quite good," said the German, "It should be OK tomorrow." Ferrari are planning a more powerful engine for their cars to use in qualifying tomorrow.
Coulthard second, Hakkinen struggles in seventh
David Coulthard set the second fastest time of the session for the McLaren-Mercedes team after a good session of improving the car. Mika Hakkinen got "lost" on his car's set-up. He finally found a better balance at the end of the session, but was unable to take advantage of it because of a gearbox problem.
Alesi having a ball
Jean Alesi was delighted with the performance of his Sauber this afternoon after setting the fourth fastest time of the day despite two spins and two trips over the grass during the session. Pedro Diniz' car was found to have a damaged monocoque after his morning accident, the Brazilian unable to take part in the session. He said a lack of front brakes was the cause of his morning accident.
Fisichella encouraged with fifth
Despite a bit too much understeer and poor traction from his Benetton, Giancarlo Fisichella was delighted with his fifth place his afternoon. "If we can improve the problems with the car for tomorrow, I don't see why we cannot keep the same place on the grid,' said Giancarlo. His team mate Wurz was unable to find a good balance however and did not better 13th fastest. Following a rear suspension failure in the morning session, both Fisichella and Wurz's cars were modified.
Impressive comeback for Zonta
Ricardo Zonta continued to make an impressive F1 comeback following his accident in Brazil, the Brazilian taking the sixth fastest time and reporting no problems from his injured left foot. Jacques Villeneuve was ninth fastest, his team delighted with their top ten placings on a track which they have not run on before.
Frentzen happy, Hill in trouble
Heinz Harald Frentzen had a trouble free session setting the eighth fastest time of the session in which he said he "Did his homework for the race, and improved the set-up, particularly the brake balance." Hill had a minor off, but was able to continue. He tried new tyres, but found the handling worse, unable to better 14th place.
In brief...
Olivier Panis slipped down the field after he locked his brakes, slid straight on and then got his Prost jammed in reverse gear. However, he was happy with its performance, unlike Trulli who was still suffering from oversteer with his car which he put in 11th place. More problems saw Zanardi back in 18th spot for Williams, his car better after changing the brakes.
Friday Free Practice - Accumulated Times
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Irvine Ferrari 1:20.576 197.523 kmph
2. Coulthard Mclaren Mercedes 1:20.664 + 0.088
3. M.Schumacher Ferrari 1:21.276 + 0.700
4. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:21.510 + 0.934
5. Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:21.724 + 1.148
6. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:21.810 + 1.234
7. Hakkinen Mclaren Mercedes 1:21.950 + 1.374
8. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:22.002 + 1.426
9. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:22.021 + 1.445
10. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:22.167 + 1.591
11. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:22.454 + 1.878
12. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:22.506 + 1.930
13. Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:22.650 + 2.074
14. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:22.734 + 2.158
15. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:22.892 + 2.316
16. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:23.177 + 2.601
17. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:23.778 + 3.202
18. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:23.824 + 3.248
19. Gene Minardi Ford 1:23.826 + 3.250
20. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:23.996 + 3.420
21. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:24.131 + 3.555
22. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:24.462 + 3.886
Temperature: Air 25°C Track 49°C
All timing unofficial