Schmacher fastest in Brazilian practice

World champion Michael Schumacher was fastest for Ferrari in the opening free practice session today for the Brazilian Formula…

World champion Michael Schumacher was fastest for Ferrari in the opening free practice session today for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix.

The German, chasing a seventh successive win, lapped the Interlagos circuit in one minute 16.832 seconds, ahead of McLaren's Mika Hakkinen in 1:16.882.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was third fastest in the second Ferrari with McLaren's David Coulthard fourth.

The Jaguars driven by Briton Eddie Irvine and Brazilian Luciano Burti were a strong sixth and seventh in the session - behind the BAR driven by Frenchman Olivier Panis.

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A bulky overhead camera fell in the Jaguar pits during the session - again highlighting concerns over the infrastructure at Interlagos.

"A few minutes before the end of the session we heard a loud crash and the remote camera that sort of swivels in front of the garages came crashing down," said team spokesman Nav Sidhu.

Reuters