The opening Friday practice session for the 2003 Italian Grand Prix would see Toyota's Christiano Da Matta the first driver out but it would be BMW WilliamsF1's Ralf Schumacher who would set the early quick time with a lap of 1m:.22.829.

As the session progressed Juan Pablo would cut the chicane, while Ferrari's Michael Schumacher would have a moment that would see him take to the gravel and back to the pits. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard would be second and third behind Ralf in the early part of the session.

But with ten minutes run it would be Rubens Barrichello who would set the fastest lap time so far. Team-mate Michael was in the pits as his mechanics worked on his Ferrari. BAR's Jenson Button would move into third while Juan Pablo would take position one from Rubens. He would be the first driver under 1m:22. Juan Pablo would make up his time in the final sector.

Both Renault drivers would take to the track with Alonso setting a time of 1m:22.7. Trulli would be fourth behind his team-mate. With nearly half an hour of the session run Michael Schumacher would return to the track. He would quickly move into second behind Juan Pablo.

For Jaguar's Justin Wilson he would set a time good enough for seventh. Juan Pablo would set the maximum speed so far with 346.7km/h. WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer said: "With top speeds of more than 360kph, we are operating the car at its limit."

For Jaguar's Mark Webber his session would be spoilt when he was to miss a breaking point and loses control of his car. He was able to get out of the gravel and return to the pits.

Ralf would move into second. With twenty minutes left to run Raikkonen would move into first but he was quickly passed by Michael Schumacher, 0.5 second faster than the Finn. For Toyota their practice would be encouraging with Da Matta fourth and Panis sixth. Juan Pablo would move back into second, with Button now fifth.

As the session came to a close David Coulthard would improve all his sector times to move into fourth with Kimi third. In the final minutes Raikkonen would move into second but it would be Barrichello who would put in a very quick lap to go fastest.

For Ralf his session would see him finish down in ninth, 1.3sec behind Barrichello. In the final minutes Rubens would improve his time with a lap of 1m:21.001. This would leave the Ferraris first and second.