Friday September 10th, 1999
Alesi quickest for Sauber
Jean Alesi surprised everyone by the end of the first free practice session for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix when he set the fastest time of the session for Sauber-Petronas. Always motivated by Italy's famous Tifosi Alesi made the most of the slippery ?green' circuit to take the fastest time of the session, but said later that his car was not handling well, "It is too pitch sensitive," said Alesi.
Pedro Diniz complained of too much oversteer from his car. The team improved it throughout the session, Diniz setting the seventh fastest time.
No problems for Hakkinen
Mika Hakkinen took the second fastest time of the morning for the McLaren team, the Finn running a routine session confirming the testing data which the team had gathered the previous week at the circuit. David Coulthard was fourth fastest, the Scot losing some time in the pits having grass cleaned out of the undertray after a trip across the grass at the first chicane.
Trulli well up for Prost
Although Jarno Trulli set the third fastest time for the Prost team at his home race, the Italian said he was not as happy with the balance of his car this morning as he been last week. It's a bit loose in the rear," said Trulli. Olivier Panis was back in 15th place this morning, the Frenchman losing time in the pits having his car's brakes bled, a balance problem causing him to have a trip across the third chicane.
Barrichello confident for Stewart
"We are reaping the benefit of all the aerodynamic work we did during testing last week," said Rubens Barrichello after setting the fifth fastest time, his team-mate Herbert also optimistic of a god performance here after setting the ninth fastest time.
Frentzen takes it easy
Heinz Harald Frentzen was quietly confident after setting the sixth fastest time for Jordan during 13 laps on the track. "We did so much running last week, there wasn't a lot to be learned this morning except some fine tuning for the conditions. I am happy with the car," said the German. Hill was back in 17th spot after losing time in the pits with a driveshaft problem with his car.
Irvine back in tenth place for Ferrari
Eddie Irvine and Mika Salo were unable to better 10th and 12th fastest times for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro this morning. Running a similar aerodynamic package that they ran in Hockenheim, Irvine complained that his car felt nervous to drive this morning. Both he and team-mate Salo had straight on moments at different chicanes, but without any damage to their cars.
In brief...
Neither of the two Benetton drivers were very happy with the handling of their cars despite new front and rear wing end plate modifications. "The balance and grip is not very good," said Fisichella who had a straight on across one chicane. Wurz was back in 16th place complaining of brake problems. Jacques Villeneuve pulled off with a mechanical problem after just 7 laps. Both Minardi drivers had problems, Marc Gene spinning off into the third chicane and damaging his car's rear wing against the tyre barrier. Luca Badoer had a spin caused by a broken driveshaft, but was able to continue to the pits.
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:25.030 244.290 kmph
2. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:25.103 + 0.073
3. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:25.182 + 0.152
4. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:25.347 + 0.317
5. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:25.500 + 0.470
6. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:25.577 + 0.547
7. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:25.628 + 0.598
8. Fisichella Benetton Supertec 1:25.701 + 0.671
9. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:25.785 + 0.755
10. Irvine Ferrari 1:25.897 + 0.867
11. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:25.910 + 0.880
12. Salo Ferrari 1:25.931 + 0.901
13. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:25.983 + 0.953
14. Gene Minardi Ford 1:26.069 + 1.039
15. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:26.235 + 1.205
16. Wurz Benetton Supertec 1:26.254 + 1.224
17. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:26.536 + 1.506
18. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:26.853 + 1.823
19. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:27.846 + 2.816
20. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:28.038 + 3.008
21. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:28.321 + 3.291
22. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:28.988 + 3.958
All Timing Unofficial