Schumacher off to a flyer

Ferrari seized the upper hand in practice for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis with Michael Schumacher setting the fastest time of the weekend so far.

Schumacher’s lap of one minute 10.760 seconds was a quarter-of-a-second faster than team-mate Felipe Massa and signalled his intention to re-ignite the championship battle.

He trails Fernando Alonso by 25 points in the championship but enjoys a formidable record at Indianapolis and hinted at another successful weekend today.

However, Schumacher made his second error of the weekend when he spun 45 minutes into the session, although unlike yesterday’s mistake, he was able to continue.

But Renault were not far adrift of Ferrari’s pace at the Brickyard and Giancarlo Fisichella took third spot.

World champion Alonso, who has never finished a race at Indianapolis, performed better than yesterday’s opening practice effort and ended the one-hour session in sixth.

Nick Heidfeld was fourth for BMW-Sauber, who seem to have seen off complaints over the legality of their rear wings.

Schumacher’s former team-mate Rubens Barrichello was fifth for Honda, who desperately need a confidence boost after two races without scoring a point.

Jenson Button, in the other Honda, was seventh while David Coulthard struggled in his Red Bull, posting the 20th fastest time.