World champion Michael Schumacher geared up for what could be an historic Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday by dominating today's free practice.
The German lapped with a quickest time of one minute 16.346 seconds at the Hungaroring. Team-mate Rubens Barrichello was 0.606 seconds behind in second.
Schumacher, with nine wins in 12 races to date this year, is poised to make history as the first man to win 10 championship races in a single season.
If he takes pole position, the fastest lap during the race and victory over the weekend, he will also equal the record of 11 such hat-tricks achieved by Britain's late champion Jim Clark.
"We looked quite strong today," said a satisfied Schumacher. "It feels good to be driving again after our short break and I am enjoying it, especially after a trouble-free day like this one."
Ralf Schumacher was third fastest for Williams in 1:17,228 with McLaren's Finn Kimi Raikkonen fourth.
The Jordan's of Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato performed admirably and finished fifth and sixth respectively.
David Coulthard hit a kerb and had his rear left tyre separate from the wheel rim. He finished seventh.
Some drivers complained of the dirty conditions of the track following the heavy rain in central Europe in recent days.
Positions after free practice:
1 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari One Min 16.346secs, 2 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari 1:16.952, 3. Ralf Schumacher, Germany, BMW-Williams, 1:17.228, 4 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.298, 5 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Jordan-Honda 1:17.399, 6 Takuma Sato (Jpn) Jordan-Honda, 1:17.598, 7= David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.704, Felipe Massa, Brazil, Sauber-Petronas, 1:17.704, 9. Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) Jaguar 1:18.036, 10 Jenson Button (Gbr) Renault 1:18.250, 11 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Renault 1:15.360, 12 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BAR-Honda 1:18.388, 13 Eddie Irvine (Gbr) Jaguar 1:18.718, 14 Olivier Panis (Fra) BAR-Honda, 1:18.846, 15 Mika Salo (Fin) Toyota, 1:18.890, 16 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) BMW-Williams 1:18.961, 17 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber-Petronas 1:19.051, 18 Allan McNish (Gbr) Toyota 1:19.171, 19 Anthony Davidson (Gbr) Minardi-Asiatech 1:19.490, 20 Mark Weber (Aus) Minardi-Asiatech 1:19.526.