so.
The German, chasing an unprecedented seventh win in France, was sixth fastest in practice with a time 1.766 seconds slower than Webber's one minute 26.915 seconds.
Ralf Schumacher, winner for Williams in the last race at the Nuerburgring, was second fastest ahead of Renault's young Spaniard Fernando Alonso.
BAR drivers Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve, with their cars impounded by court order due to a legal dispute that was not resolved until halfway through practice, had to sit out the session.
Both will drive in first qualifying later.
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