Trulli on track

Italy’s Jarno Trulli grabbed the limelight from the title challengers to set the pace in a rain-hit opening practice session for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis today.

The Renault driver, who was quickest in private testing earlier, finished almost 0.2 seconds faster than the Williams of Ralf Schumacher, who was making his return after missing the last race in Italy.

Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher was the fastest of the three title rivals with the fifth quickest time, while Juan Pablo Montoya was eighth in the other Williams and Kimi Raikkonen ninth for McLaren.

Michael Schumacher leads the championship by three points from Montoya – whom he swept past today as they both headed for the pits – with Raikkonen four points further back.

Britain’s Ralph Firman made his comeback after missing the last two races with vertigo following his 150-miles-per-hour smash in Hungary.

But after completing well over 40 laps in private testing, the Norwich-born racer saw his initial practice session end early when he was forced to park-up his Jordan with a mechanical problem. He wound up 16th.

Frenchman Olivier Panis was third fastest for Toyota with Rubens Barrichello fourth quickest in the other Ferrari.

McLaren’s David Coulthard was the best of the Brits in 10th place with Jenson Button 12th for BAR and Justin Wilson 13th in the Jaguar.

The hour-long session was halted when the Ford engine of Giancarlo Fisichella’s Jordan went up in smoke while drivers were then forced to switch to wet tyres after the Motor Speedway was hit by rain.