Toyota testing tyres at Silverstone Photo (c) F1-Jimages

On Michelin tyres, the Spaniard lapped in 1m 14.662s this afternoon – just 0.196s faster than Toyota/Michelin counterpart Ricardo Zonta.

World championship leader Fernando Alonso (Renault/Michelin) was third – and quickest of the regular race drivers – on 1m 15.376s. Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes, fourth), Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes, fifth), Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault, sixth), Jenson Button (BAR-Honda, seventh), Takuma Sato (BAR-Honda, eighth) and Ralf Schumacher (Toyota, ninth) completed the Michelin armada at the head of the timesheets.

The company prepares to challenge for its ninth consecutive F1 grand prix victory – and its 83rd in total.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director
“It is difficult to assess the complete picture after Friday’s free practice sessions, because the test and race drivers have different routines and objectives. What is clear, however, is that Michelin’s three tyre compounds worked well in challenging, humid conditions and several of our partner teams look set for a very competitive weekend.”

“The organisers in Montreal deserve credit for the excellent job they have done with their new track surface. The circuit has evolved significantly, which was to be expected, but it has done so in a consistent fashion and conditions have been remarkably stable. The pre-race preparatory work has been absolutely first-class.”