GERHART BERGER, driving a Benetton Renault, was fastest in the first two practice sessions yesterday for the German Grand Prix at Hochenheim tomorrow.

Ireland's Eddie Irvine was third, less than a 10th of a second slower than Berger and well clear of his team mate, and local hero, Michael Schumacher, who was seventh fastest.

Martin Brundle lead the Jordan challenge in sixth place with Rubens Barrichello ninth.

Today's qualifying session should finally show just how good the Peugeot engine is now - Hochenheim being an out and out engine circuit where the trottle is flat to floor for 75 per cent of the time taken to lap the long high speed circuit.

In qualifying at Silverstone Martin Brundle was fastest of all through the start line speed trap at 177.5mph and he qualified eighth. Damon Hill was a full 5mph slower at that point with 11 cars quicker - yet at the end of the day he was in pole position, the fastest qualifier.

All year the Jordan's have been quick through the speed traps and this can be attributed to either a fantastic engine or because of a very low downforce/low drag car.

Everyone will be running their lowest downforce set up tomorrow to achieve a maximum speed - over 200mph - for the longest time possible.

It will be a straight fight between the V10s. Whether or not the Jordan car has been making the engine look better than it is will be revealed. "It is a real test," said Peugeot boss, Pierre Michel Fauconnier. "It will be the utmost validation. If we get through Hochenheim with no problems then we can say we have a reliable engine.

This year the fans are as numerous as ever but they are covered in red Ferrari flags and Tshirts, and not the Benetton blue of last year. Ferrari traditionally go well at Hochenheim and being Schumacher's home race - after three debacles on the trot - they have to do well.

Benetton are also anxious. Eleven wins and a world title was their reward last year. Tomorrow will be the 11th race of the season and not a win in sight - a problem when their sponsorship with Mild Seven is payment by results.

Berger was fastest in both sessions yesterday but Hill and Villeneuve are sure to be higher than eight and 11th in today's session.

"It was an interesting day," said Hill. "We were working on a good set up. We didn't use new tyres like a lot of those in front of us " said Hill.

Eddie Irvine made the best of his situation as usual. The team are experiencing gearbox troubles and will not use the seven speed box this weekend. Irvine was pleased, however, with his new aerodynamic package which includes a new floor. "It makes the cars easier over the bumps and seems easier to drive."