Four-time world champion Michael Schumacher proved once again his mastery of wet conditions when he set the fastest time in both of today's free practice sessions for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix.
Overnight downpours had soaked the track and it rained hard for the first 15 minutes of the first hour-long session.
As a result, the drivers and teams were wary of going flat out with three more practice sessions before qualifying takes place on Saturday. It was also cold with track temperatures at just eight degrees at the start of the first session, but the rain and the cold did not dampen Schumacher's enthusiasm.
His Ferrari clocked 1min 37.486sec in the first session, averaging about 182 kph on the 4.933-kilometre Autodromo of Imola circuit compared to last year's pole position of over 213 mph in 1:23.056 set by David Coulthard in his McLaren-Mercedes.
In the afternoon session, the German ace improved to 1:36.898 although his session was cut short when he spun and stalled and left his car on the grass.
Second overall was Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello in 1:37.094, also improving from the morning as both Ferrari drivers took to the track in the F2002 cars.
Third was Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella, in a Jordan-Honda, in 1:38.093 while fourth was McLaren's Coulthard in 1:38.747, ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 1:38.773.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen in an Arrows was sixth fastest in 1:39.158.
Ralf Schumacher and Montoya had their troubles, both sliding off the track at times before the they ended up in eighth at 1:39.945 and 19th 1:44.071 respectively.
AFP