Panis tops practice times

Frenchman Olivier Panis powered his Toyota to the top of the time-sheets in final practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo today.

Panis finished the session just fractions quicker than Ferrari’s five-time world champion Michael Schumacher as the drivers revelled in the warm conditions after yesterday’s rain-lashed sessions.

The drivers all racked up the laps on an Interlagos track which had dried out following the torrential downpour which had raised safety fears about tomorrow’s race with the rain expected to return.

Schumacher led for much of the session after Ferrari team-mate and local favourite Rubens Barrichello had been quickest as practice resumed.

The German has had a disappointing start to the season though after two races is still just eight points behind the McLaren of Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen.

But Schumacher was eventually toppled by Panis though the duo were separated by just 0.089secs ahead of the single lap qualifying session later today.

Renault’s Jarno Trulli posted the third quickest time while McLaren’s David Coulthard was within half-a-second of Panis in fourth place.

Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya was fifth fastest with championship pacesetter Raikkonen in sixth spot.

Jaguar’s Mark Webber, who had capitalised on the improving conditions to set the fastest time yesterday, predictably dropped down the standings today though the Australian was still eighth quickest.

Britain’s Jenson Button, who had spectacularly crashed out in the wet yesterday and will start first in qualifying later, finished practice in 12th spot for BAR.

Rookies Ralph Firman and Justin Wilson were 18th and 20th for Jordan and Minardi.