Home > Sports > News > Reuters > Report

Ferrari in class of their own

April 23, 2004 19:46 IST

World champion Michael Schumacher kept Ferrari in a class of their own in Friday's first practice for the San Marino Grand Prix.

The German was a hefty 1.359 seconds quicker than his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello and 2.166 faster than his younger brother Ralf in a Williams.

Also Read


All about the Imola GP

Major changes to F1 rules mooted

Complete coverage


The time was surprising only by the enormous gulf between the red cars and the rest, with Schumacher heavily favoured to chalk up his fourth win in four races this season.

The six-times world champion has won the San Marino Grand Prix, Ferrari's home race at a circuit named after late founder Enzo and son Dino, four times in the past five years and is also chasing his fourth successive pole position.

Briton Anthony Davidson, the BAR test driver, was fourth quickest ahead of team mate Jenson Button who has finished the last two races on the podium.

McLaren again looked to be struggling, with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen eighth fastest and Briton David Coulthard 11th. Raikkonen, last season's championship runner-up, has yet to finish a race this year.

Sunday's race marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Brazilian champion Ayrton Senna at the circuit and could also be Imola's final appearance on the Formula One calendar.


Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article



Related Stories


Senna's legacy lives on

Fisichella needs a boost

Safety the key for F1 post-Senna



People Who Read This Also Read


Sehwag gets hitched to Aarti

Review of the Tamil film 'Gilli'








© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.










Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.