Euro GP: Friday Practice Session 1

The times tumbled throughout first practice as the sun broke through the heavy clouds drying the track. The BAR team seemed to have improved its fortunes with Zonta holding the top slot for much of the second half of the session. Zonta's team-mate Villeneuve also stayed at the front ending up in seventh.

First blood definitely goes to Ferrari with Barrichello putting up fifth fastest time, while the McLarens of Coulthard and Hakkinen languished in sixth and ninth respectively.

While Schumacher senior has a German crowd behind him, Mclaren will surely hope to steel the limelight, not only in terms of the Championship but also to put on a good show for Mercedes top brass on home soil.

Jordan's form is showing signs of improvement with both cars ending the session in the top four, with Frenzten in third and Trulli 0.01sec behind him in fourth.

Hakkinen ended the session in the gravel after running wide at the Dunlop hairpin. Track conditions are unlikely to get any easier as rain is forecast for later in the day.