Ralf sets the blistering pace in Magny-Cours

Williams' Ralf Schumacher set the pace in free practice for the French Grand Prix today, restoring normal service a day after…

Williams' Ralf Schumacher set the pace in free practice for the French Grand Prix today, restoring normal service a day after Formula One was turned upside down.

Changing weather conditions in Friday's first qualifying had left Minardi's Jos Verstappen, driving the slowest car for the smallest team on the grid, on top of the timesheets by an enormous margin.

The Minardis returned to the bottom of the order on Saturday, with Dutchman Verstappen nearly four seconds off the pace and ahead only of team mate Justin Wilson in the last session before final qualifying.

Ralf, winner of the last race at the Nuerburgring, lapped in 1:14.966 in the second session.

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Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, in the other Williams, was second quickest, suggesting that the BMW-powered team's run of form with two wins in the last three races could easily continue in Sunday's grand prix.

McLaren's David Coulthard, outshone by team mate Kimi Raikkonen this season, was third quickest ahead of championship leader Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari.

Schumacher is hoping to become the first driver to win the same grand prix seven times and extend his overall lead over Raikkonen, currently seven points.

A victory for the German, at the circuit where he won the title last year, would also be his 50th for Ferrari.