Canadian GP: Michelin Friday practice notes

SATO FASTEST IN AFTERNOON SESSION, SECOND OVERALL FOR MICHELIN

Takuma Sato (B*A*R-Honda) was the quickest Michelin driver on the opening day of the Canadian Grand Prix. Two weeks after making history as the first Japanese driver to start from the front row of the grid in a Formula One world championship race, Sato set the pace in the second free practice session and ended the day just 0.073s shy of world championship leader Michael Schumacher.

As is customary, Michelin has a clutch of partner teams and drivers at the front of the field. Fernando Alonso (Renault) was fourth fastest ahead of Anthony Davidson (B*A*R-Honda, fifth), Kimi Räikkönen (Team McLaren Mercedes, sixth), Ricardo Zonta (Toyota, seventh), Cristiano da Matta (Toyota, eighth), Jenson Button (B*A*R-Honda, ninth) and David Coulthard (Team McLaren Mercedes, 10th).

B*A*R-Honda test driver Anthony Davidson was third fastest in the morning session and fifth overall, but he crashed out this afternoon shortly after setting what had been the quickest sector-one time to that point.

Jordan rookie Giorgio Pantano did not run at all today. The Italian is trying to resolve a personal dispute that affects his sponsorship situation. He hopes to take part in tomorrow's official qualifying session.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director:

"Our partner teams have done plenty of solid comparison tests today and all three of our dry-weather compounds are working well. As everybody knows this is a very tricky circuit for choosing tyres and hard on brakes, but so far we have encountered no blistering or temperature problems. Our engineers are currently poring over all the available data in order to decide which of the available tyre options will be most suitable for Sunday's race. From what I have seen so far, I feel confident that our tyres will deliver excellent performance this weekend."

-michelin-