OMEN
03-31-2006, 08:52 AM
HONDA posted the fastest lap in a lacklustre opening practice session for the Australian Formula One grand prix today.
Most of the leading drivers made way for test drivers, with Honda's Anthony Davidson recording the quickest lap in 1min 28.259sec.
Only 12 of the 22 GP drivers completed laps at Albert Park this morning.
Australia's Mark Webber didn't make an appearance at all, with Williams-Cosworth test driver Alxander Wurz completing all his team's laps.
Best of the drivers who will actually compete in Sunday's race was Sauber-BMW driver Jacques Villeneuve, third fastest in 1min 28.595sec.
World champion Fernando Alonso did not complete a lap but spent some time on track this morning in his Renault.
The leading drivers are expected to spend more time on track during the second practice session this afternoon.
Qualifying will be held tomorrow ahead of the 58-lap race on Sunday.
Free practice times
1. Anthony Davidson (GB) Honda 1min 26.822sec
2. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-BMW 1:26.832
3. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:27.200
4. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:27.213
5. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:27.443
6. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:27.658
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.773
8. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda 1:28.075
9. Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.200
10. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:28.227
11. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:28.280
12. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BMW Sauber 1:28.440
13. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:28.531
14. Mark Webber (Aus) Williams-BMW 1:28.860
15. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:29.053
16. Jarno Trulli (ITA) Toyota 1:29.138
17. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso 1:29.196
18. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:29.379
19. Tiago Monteiro (Por) Midland 1:29.713
20. Robert Doornbos (NED) Red Bull 1:29.876
21. Christian Klien (Aut) Red Bull 1:29.879
22. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-BMW 1:29.933
23. Neel Jani (Sui) Toro Rosso 1:30.686
24. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso 1:30.734
25. Christijan Albers (Ned) Midland 1:30.830
26. Markus Winkelhock (Ger) Midland 1:31.260
27. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:32.556
28. Yuji Ide (Jpn) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:34.224.
AAP
Most of the leading drivers made way for test drivers, with Honda's Anthony Davidson recording the quickest lap in 1min 28.259sec.
Only 12 of the 22 GP drivers completed laps at Albert Park this morning.
Australia's Mark Webber didn't make an appearance at all, with Williams-Cosworth test driver Alxander Wurz completing all his team's laps.
Best of the drivers who will actually compete in Sunday's race was Sauber-BMW driver Jacques Villeneuve, third fastest in 1min 28.595sec.
World champion Fernando Alonso did not complete a lap but spent some time on track this morning in his Renault.
The leading drivers are expected to spend more time on track during the second practice session this afternoon.
Qualifying will be held tomorrow ahead of the 58-lap race on Sunday.
Free practice times
1. Anthony Davidson (GB) Honda 1min 26.822sec
2. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-BMW 1:26.832
3. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:27.200
4. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:27.213
5. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:27.443
6. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:27.658
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.773
8. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda 1:28.075
9. Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.200
10. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:28.227
11. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:28.280
12. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BMW Sauber 1:28.440
13. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:28.531
14. Mark Webber (Aus) Williams-BMW 1:28.860
15. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:29.053
16. Jarno Trulli (ITA) Toyota 1:29.138
17. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso 1:29.196
18. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:29.379
19. Tiago Monteiro (Por) Midland 1:29.713
20. Robert Doornbos (NED) Red Bull 1:29.876
21. Christian Klien (Aut) Red Bull 1:29.879
22. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-BMW 1:29.933
23. Neel Jani (Sui) Toro Rosso 1:30.686
24. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso 1:30.734
25. Christijan Albers (Ned) Midland 1:30.830
26. Markus Winkelhock (Ger) Midland 1:31.260
27. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:32.556
28. Yuji Ide (Jpn) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:34.224.
AAP