Warm-up: Opel bounces back

Opel youngster Scheider, who only qualified 10th yesterday, was ahead of Schneider for much of the session, until the reigning champ banging in a quick lap near the end. Timo's lap was a shade quicker than he managed in qualifying, but his new best mark wouldn't have moved him up the grid.

Schneider was closer than ever to Aiello, and a replay of their duel here on the Grand Prix circuit in May looks on the cards. The man between them on the grid, Christian Abt, had a very subdued session though and was only 10th fastest.

Martin Tomczyk continued to struggle compared to his Abt Audi colleagues, spinning twice during the session and winding up 16th fastest. He starts today's qualifying race from seventh on the grid.

Thomas Jager rediscovered his free practice form and was fourth fastest in the warm-up, the eastern German mystified as to why he suddenly lost pace in qualifying and slumped to 13th. Jager should be one to watch this afternoon.

Once again, the drivers can look forward to oven-like conditions in their cars in the races as the air temperature is already up to 28-degrees and is likely to plateau at well over 30 when the qualifying race starts at 13.58 local time (12.58BST).



Laurent Aiello, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m05.603s
Bernd Schneider, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, 1m05.801s
Timo Scheider, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m05.926s
Thomas Jager, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, 1m06.068s
Mattias Ekstrom, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m06.103s
Bernd Maylander, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, 1m06.153s
Uwe Alzen, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, 1m06.182s
Michael Bartels, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.268s
Christijan Albers, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, 1m06.299s
Christian Abt, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m06.359s
Darren Turner, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, 1m06.391s
Patrick Huisman, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, 1m06.427s
Peter Dumbreck, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, 1m06.438s
Manuel Reuter, 2001 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.464s
Marcel Fassler, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, 1m06.499s
Martin Tomczyk, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m06.570s
David Saelens, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, 1m06.783s
Yves Olivier, 2000 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.791s
Alain Menu, 2001 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.057s
Joachim Winkelhock, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.058s
Hubert Haupt, 2000 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.591s
Peter Mamerow, 2000 Mamerow Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.902s