Barrichello is also preparing to come out onto track. Rubens seems off the pace on his first runs but he then pops in a great lap with a 1.48.527 to go back to the top of the timesheets. The Ferrari 1-2 at the front was soon to be split as Kimi Raikkonen puts his McLaren into second place with a 1.48.962. The Michelin tyres appear to be taking to the circuit very well as only Ferrari on the Bridgestones are on the pace so far.

20 minutes into the session and the Ferrari is knocked off the top as Coulthard goes fastest with 1.47.717, the McLaren using new tyres to set that lap hinting that they are using light fuel loads already at this stage of the weekend. Schumacher is soon to be dropped down to fifth as Ralf goes into third place, but Barrichello is back out on track once more. Rubens makes a slight improvement on his best time but gains nothing in terms of position and the time at the top gets lower once more as Raikkonen goes quickest with a 1.47.404.

Schumacher is to move back up the order with about 25 minutes left in the session as he improves his time to a 1.47.771 and goes into third place. But the McLaren’s are continuing to improve and Coulthard takes to the front once again setting a new best lap of 1.47.356. Schumacher’s next run is aborted as he gets it wrong at the bus-stop chicane, which is a convenient place to jump into the pits. But as he is wheeled into the garage his car is up in the air at the front right suggesting a puncture on the rear left or a suspension failure. 1.47.196 is the new fastest lap once again in the hands of Kimi Raikkonen.

10 minutes to go and Schumacher is back out on track with a very fast time at spilt 1 but loses time in the remaining sectors but it does not look too bad for Michael as he appears to be using scrubbed tyres while those around him are using fresh rubber. Barrichello’s session is to come to a premature end as he spins out at Malmedy and is unable to escape the gravel trap. So the session comes to an end with Ferrari in 3rd and 4th places as the McLaren’s set the pace. It remains to be seen how the McLaren’s will continue for the rest of the weekend but Ferrari are looking strong enough, although it is clear Bridgestone are not enjoying any advantage so far this weekend.

Full Times

1. RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes 1'47"196 234.009 Km/h
2. COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes 1'47"356 + 0'00"160
3. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1'47"403 + 0'00"207
4. BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1'48"321 + 0'01"125
5. R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW 1'48"435 + 0'01"239
6. BUTTON Renault 1'48"778 + 0'01"582
7. DE LA ROSA Jaguar Cosworth 1'48"902 + 0'01"706
8. MONTOYA Williams BMW 1'48"969 + 0'01"773
9. IRVINE Jaguar Cosworth 1'49"222 + 0'02"026
10. SALO Toyota 1'49"260 + 0'02"064
11. MCNISH Toyota 1'49"560 + 0'02"364
12. TRULLI Renault 1'49"603 + 0'02"407
13. VILLENEUVE BAR Honda 1'49"897 + 0'02"701
14. FISICHELLA Jordan Honda 1'50"144 + 0'02"948
15. SATO Jordan Honda 1'50"357 + 0'03"161
16. PANIS BAR Honda 1'50"392 + 0'03"196
17. MASSA Sauber Petronas 1'51"068 + 0'03"872
18. DAVIDSON Minardi Asiatech 1'51"270 + 0'04"074
19. HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas 1'51"355 + 0'04"159
20. WEBBER Minardi Asiatech 1'52"343 + 0'05"147