formula 1 racing

Friday at Hockenheim - report
07-23-2004

Germany's Michael Schumacher led the Formula One pace at hot Hockenheim on Friday, but mere tenths saw-off the advance of rivals McLaren, Williams and BAR.

Ferrari's Ross Brawn predicts tyres will be the 'key factor' here.

''The track temperature was very high today,'' said the technical director. ''Michael made good progress but Rubens (7th) was not quite so happy.''

Kimi Raikkonen is again quick in the new McLaren.

''It's hot,'' said the second-placed Finn, whose team-mate David Coulthard had two high-speed spins under braking, ''but you don't really feel it in the car.''

Renault's Pat Symonds said his boys (8th, 14th) 'lacked ... grip.'

Toyota track-debuted the 'B' car in full aerodynamic trim, with Cristiano da Matta the quickest team 'race driver' in eighteenth despite the skinnier nose.

''We used the second hour ... as a test session,'' said technical director Mike Gascoyne. ''Only tomorrow will we really see how competitive [the car] is.''

Jenson Button's weekend did not get off to a good start despite going fourth fastest - a morning engine problem means he'll lose ten places on Sunday's grid.

BAR's 'Friday' tester Anthony Davidson also had a tough morning when he stopped out on circuit after engineers 'identified a gearbox problem' in the telemetry.

''The car looks competitive,'' said the little Englishman.

''I'm sure Jenson is strong enough to put up a good fight.''

Ralf Schumacher's new sub Antonio Pizzonia was a promising fifth - a few tenths behind Juan Pablo Montoya - and he spent most of the day learning Hockenheim.

''Usually it's difficult to change drivers,'' commented Sam Michael, Williams' technical director, ''but Antonio ... did a good job on his first day.''

* BAR and Honda announced a new three-year agreement at the German circuit on Friday. ''We are [now] realising ... progress,'' said Honda MD Takanobu Ito.

* Eddie Jordan's team said at Hockenheim that DTM series leader and Dutchman Christijan Albers 'will test for the team at Silverstone on 15 September.'

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