McLaren boost as Kimi in driving seat

KIMI RAIKKONEN offered McLaren hope of a resurgence as the Finn set the fastest time in practice at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

McLaren have had a woeful start to the season with just five points, but Raikkonen gave them something to cheer about with his lap of one minute 29.355 seconds in second practice.

His team-mate David Coulthard was fourth to further lift spirits, with few better places for it to come than on engine supplier Mercedes’ home ground in Germany.

Jenson Button was second fastest for BAR, while Ralf Schumacher’s BMW-Williams was third.

BAR tester Anthony Davidson was seventh, with world champion Michael Schumacher back in ninth, although the top 11 was separated by less than a second.

Monaco winner Jarno Trulli, fresh from his first grand prix triumph, set the fifth fastest lap.