Formula 1
Schumacher top in first Italian GP practice
It was a quiet start to the Italian Grand Prix weekend, the Monza circuit overcast but dry, with a track temperature of around 17C. Minardi's Alex Yoong returns to competition this weekend after a two race break and was the first to take to the ...
Published: Sep 13, 2002, 8:51 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
It was a quiet start to the Italian Grand Prix weekend, the Monza circuit overcast but dry, with a track temperature of around 17C. Minardi's Alex Yoong returns to competition this weekend after a two race break and was the first to take to the track. He and team mate Mark Webber set the early times, Webber ahead with a 1:28.004.
The Australian was quickly eclipsed by the Jaguar of Eddie Irvine who set a time nearly two and a half seconds faster. A huge cheer from the crowd greeted Michael Schumacher, the champion taking over the top slot from Irvine with a 1.23.524, followed by the Williams of brother Ralf. Juan Pablo Montoya replaced his team mate shortly afterwards, the top times changing quite rapidly, and Pedro de la Rosa was third quickest.
Toyota had both cars in the top ten early on, as did Sauber and Renault; Mika Salo, Felipe Massa and Jenson Button the leading car of each respectively. Sauber intend to run both Massa and Nick Heidfeld with the Head and Neck Support (HANS) system this weekend, the device is already compulsory in some series. McLaren were quiet in the first half of the session, Kimi Raikkonen and David Couthard hovering around the edge of the top ten.
The Honda teams of Jordan and BAR ran reasonably well and without any of the engine failures that plagued them at Spa. Giancarlo Fisichella had the better of Takuma Sato and Jacques Villeneuve of Olivier Panis. As expected, there was no sign of Arrows. The continuing legal and financial situation prevented the team taking part in yet another race. The FIA are being tolerant and have delayed making a decision on any penalty until Arrows have sorted themselves out.
Michael held the top of the times without disturbance although Rubens Barrichello was very casual, only putting in two laps in the session. Jaguar remained constant in the top six despite Irvine having a minor off. There has been some comment by drivers on the height of the kerbs at Monza and of the new speed bumps. The bumps have been installed at the run off areas of the first and second chicanes which makes life difficult for anyone who cuts across. Although there is room for drivers to weave between them, some think they are too close together and could cause problems.
No surprises in the first session, Schumacher setting a best of 1.22.869 followed by the two Williams. Final top six classification: M. Schumacher, Montoya, R. Schumacher, de la Rosa, Trulli, Irvine.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Schumacher predicts close contest
Next article Italian GP: Bridgestone Friday notes
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Felipe Massa
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
More from
Sauber
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Latest news
McLaren to introduce 2027 F1 front wing at Brazil GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
36 min
McLaren to introduce 2027 F1 front wing at Brazil GP
ECR prepares for IR-28 transition with in-house Dynisma DMG-1 simulator
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 53 min
ECR prepares for IR-28 transition with in-house Dynisma DMG-1 simulator
Jacob Abel ‘reevaluating everything’ after solid IMSA endurance campaign, targets 2027 Indy 500 return
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
Jacob Abel ‘reevaluating everything’ after solid IMSA endurance campaign, targets 2027 Indy 500 return
Why Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak are returning to the WRC
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
Why Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak are returning to the WRC
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe