F1: Schumacher fastest in San Marino practice

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has recorded the fastest time in first practice for the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.

The Ferrari driver finished just over 0.6 seconds ahead of Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella, who set his time at the end of the session as the track began to dry out following heavy rains.

Schumacher’s Ferrari team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, had been second for much of the session before dropping back to third.

Ralf Schumacher ended up in the gravel in his Williams-BMW and finished eighth fastest, while his Colombian team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, finished 19th after sliding off the track twice in quick succession.

FIA Formula 1, San Marino Grand Prix, Imola, Italy

Times after first practice:

1 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1min 36.898secs,

2 Rubens Barrichello (Ger) Ferrari at 0.196secs,

3 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Jordan at 1.195,

4 David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren at 1.849,

5 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren at 1.875,

6 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Ger) Arrows at 2.260,

7 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Renault at 2.306,

8 Felipe Massa (Bra) Sauber at 2.355,

9 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) Williams at 2.582,

10 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Williams at 2.620,

11 Takuma Sato (Jap) Jordan at 2.866,

12 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber at 3.073,

13 Eddie Irvine (Nir) Jaguar at 3.653,

14 Jenson Button (Gbr) Renault at 3.703,

15 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) British American Racing at 3.889,

16 Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) Jaguar at 3.911,

17 Olivier Panis (Fra) British American Racing at 4.667,

18 Enrique Bernoldi (Bra) Arrows at 4.832,

19 Mark Webber (Aus) Minardi at 5.071,

20 Mika Salo (Fin) Toyota at 5.363,

21 Alex Yoong (Mal) Minardi at 7.008,

22 Allan McNish (Gbr) Toyota at 7.088