Barrichello perfect in practice

Rubens Barrichello roared to the top of the time-sheets when practice resumed for tomorrow’s Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo this morning.

The Brazilian, who had to hand victory to Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher at the last race in Austria, produced a late blistering lap to knock the German off top spot.

But there was just 0.086 seconds between the duo as Ferrari reasserted their supremacy following yesterday’s traditional rest day in the Mediterranean Principality.

The pair look set to dominate qualifying later today though even if Barrichello takes pole for the second race in succession he knows he could be ordered to move over for Schumacher again.

Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya, the closest challenger to Schumacher though he is 27 points adrift of the four-time world champion, clocked the third quickest time in his Williams-BMW with a late flying lap.

But Montoya was still over 1.1secs adrift of the pace set by Barrichello around the tight streets.

Italy’s Jarno Trulli, quickest in first practice last Thursday, dropped to fourth spot today just ahead of Renault team-mate Jenson Button as the duo boosted their hopes of a strong showing in qualifying.

Ralf Schumacher was sixth fastest in the other Williams followed by the McLarens of Kimi Raikkonen

and David Coulthard whose last pole was in this race last year.

Allan McNish’s stay near the top of the time-sheets proved brief as he slipped from second on the opening day to 15th spot today for Toyota while Eddie Irvine was 18th in the Jaguar.