Schumacher sets pace in Austria

Michael Schumacher continued to set the pace as practice resumed for the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1-Ring in Spielberg this morning.

The German, who was quickest in first qualifying yesterday, again spearheaded a one-two for Ferrari with team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Schumacher did have one brief excursion off the track but still finished just over 0.1 seconds ahead of the Brazilian, who was forced to hand victory to the five-time champion here last year.

The 34-year-old has won the last two races to move within four points of McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen in the battle for the drivers’ championship.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve continued his promising weekend in his BAR-Honda with the third quickest time, almost half-a-second down on Schumacher, having been fourth in qualifying yesterday.

Spain’s Fernando Alonso got more from the Renault in which he struggled yesterday to finish fourth fastest in the 45-minute penultimate practice session, but was still almost 0.6secs slower than Schumacher.

Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld was fifth fastest followed by the Jaguar of Antonio Pizzonia who is having a more encouraging weekend compared to Spain two weeks ago when his job seemed to be on the line.

David Coulthard was 12th in his McLaren with Raikkonen 14th, the team-mates split by the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya.

Jenson Button – a fine fifth yesterday – was 16th this morning after managing just 10 laps during the session in his BAR-Honda.

Jordan’s Ralph Firman, who qualified backwards yesterday after hitting a guard-rail in the home straight, had one brief trip across the gravel before finishing 17th with Minardi’s Justin Wilson one place further back.