NcNish shines at Monaco

Michael Schumacher insisted there was no need to worry as the master of Monaco was outperformed by Scotland’s Formula One rookie Allan McNish today.

The German wound up back in 11th place after first practice having set the pace in the opening session as he launched his bid for a record equalling sixth victory in Monte Carlo.

Schumacher was almost a second adrift of McNish, who showed no nerves as he took to Monaco’s mean streets for the first time and was set for top spot until displaced by Renault’s Jarno Trulli late on.

But Schumacher - hoping to equal Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna’s victory record in Monaco - is confident of returning to top spot when practice resumes on Saturday after tomorrow’s traditional rest day.

‘‘We have not found the ideal set-up for the car, but I am not too worried about this,’’ said Schumacher, who leads the drivers’ standings by a massive 27 points heading into the seventh round of the 17-race season.

‘‘We still have work to do. It looks as though everyone’s times are much closer here than in recent years, but we will not know the real situation until Saturday afternoon.’’

Schumacher will still start favourite to claim pole for Sunday’s race as he spent the afternoon working on race set-up while many of the cars who finished ahead of him are likely to have benefited from lower fuel loads and fresh tyres.

And the 33-year-old also saw the jeers of Austria turn to cheers today as he returned to the track for the first time since being handed victory in Austria when Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello was ordered to move over.

Not that he was likely to get a frosty reception in the millionaire’s playground where it would take a ban on fur coats or a sudden outlawing of the pampered poodles which litter the pavements to spark a protest.

McNish knows he is highly unlikely to hang on to second spot in qualifying on Saturday afternoon but it was still an accomplished display by the Dumfries driver.

The 32-year-old completed almost 50 clean laps while those with more experience of Monaco, including fellow Brit Eddie Irvine, found the ring of steel around the streets unforgiving today.

‘‘I have only ever driven Monaco in a Lexus before now and I think we did a good job today,’’ said McNish, who finished three places ahead of team-mate Mika Salo who has an excellent record on the track.

‘‘The car actually suits the circuit a lot better than I had expected it would and I am getting more and more used to Formula 1 and setting up the car comes more naturally.’’

Trulli’s late flying lap denied a double Scotch in practice with McLaren’s David Coulthard, whose last pole position was in the race 12 months ago, third fastest for McLaren.

The Italian’s fellow Renault driver, Jenson Button, was 10th quickest after stopping on the track when he also clipped the barriers too hard at Mirabeau.

‘‘There is definitely more to come especially considering that I didn’t get a clear run on new tyres,’’ said Button. ‘‘Jarno is very quick which means things are looking good for us.’’

Irvine, who scored Jaguar’s first points with fourth in Monaco two years ago and claimed their maiden pole with third in last year’s race, had a bumpier ride today as he wound up 20th after damaging the front of his car.

‘‘Not the free practice that I had envisaged,’’ said Irvine. ‘‘Oil on the track sent me into the armco barriers at Massanet. Monaco is unforgiving and I was happy to come away unscathed.’’