Rain causes problems in Imola second practice

After a wet first session the bad weather continued for second free practice with track temperature a slightly higher 9C, air a couple of degrees up but still cold. Minardi's Mark Webber was the first man on track followed by others including the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya -- Williams seemed to struggle this morning, the conditions not favouring Michelin tyres. Team mate Ralf Schumacher went wide at Variante Alta for maybe the third time today, emerging from the grass rather muddy.

There was more action on track than the earlier session but no major improvements in the times. Toyota remained at the back along with Minardi while both Ferraris were lapping steadily, Michael Schumacher's time from the first practice remaining as the best. Ralf tried out Michelin intermediates but didn't improve although Montoya managed to get into the top ten. Several team tried intermediates but wets were still quicker.

Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld both had minor spins and collected some mud and Giancarlo Fisichella had a trip into the gravel at Piratella. Jarno Trulli ended his session prematurely when he lost the Renault at the final chicane, damaging the wing and probably the suspension. Montoya skipped the Variante Alta chicane, Takuma Sato went into the gravel then Michael Schumacher joined in, spinning and ending up stalling. Allan McNish also visited the gravel and Montoya spun making the second half of the session much more entertaining.

There was a slight change in the top six in what was a difficult practice, Barrichello went ahead of Fisichella and the McLarens were better. The conditions, although drying out towards the end, were too wet for intermediates and everybody struggled. Top six final classification: M. Schumacher, Barrichello, Fisichella, Coulthard, Raikkonen, Frentzen.