Friday First Free Practice - US GP

World Champion Michael Schumacher was quickest in Friday's opening practice session at Indianapolis ahead of the United States Grand Prix as he won a battle with teammate Rubens Barrichello and McLaren's David Coulthard.

Schumacher posted the quickest time of the session just seconds after Coulthard had taken top spot from Barrichello, who had been impressive throughout the one-hour session. The three traded top spot in the timesheets as they ended almost one second ahead of their rivals as Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella maintained his team's impressive recent form as he ended the session fourth quickest.

Sauber pair Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld finished fifth and sixth quickest respectively as they were immediately on the pace. Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi was first on track, but Raikkonen was the first of the quicker drivers to outpace his best lap time 20 minutes into the session.

Schumacher received a huge reception as he exited the pitlane for the first time as he was followed by brother Ralf and the World Champion was immediately quickest.

His Ferrari teammate Barrichello took over from him at the top as Coulthard and Alex Yoong both spun. Mika Hakkinen, who celebrates his 33rd birthday today, did not take to the track until late in the session because of a system problem.

Schumacher regained top spot with 18 minutes remaining on for Barrichello to go quicker again five minutes later. Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya and Jordan's Jarno Trulli both spun late in the session as they aimed to improve on their times.

Coulthard briefly took top spot from Barrichello, only for Schumacher to regain top spot and leave Barrichello third in the timesheets.

Pos Driver Team Times 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:14.085 203.701 km/h 2. Coulthard Mclaren Mercedes (B) 1:14.130 + 0.045 3. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:14.141 + 0.056 4. Fisichella Benetton Renault (M) 1:14.930 + 0.845 5. Raikkonen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:15.156 + 1.071 6. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:15.367 + 1.282 7. Trulli Jordan Honda (B) 1:15.507 + 1.422 8. Frentzen Prost Acer (M) 1:15.523 + 1.438 9. Button Benetton Renault (M) 1:15.537 + 1.452 10. Verstappen Arrows Asiatech (B) 1:15.547 + 1.462 11. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:15.764 + 1.679 12. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:15.836 + 1.751 13. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:15.850 + 1.765 14. Hakkinen Mclaren Mercedes (B) 1:15.860 + 1.775 15. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:16.031 + 1.946 16. de la Rosa Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:16.241 + 2.156 17. Bernoldi Arrows Asiatech (B) 1:16.368 + 2.283 18. Alonso Minardi European (M) 1:16.498 + 2.413 19. Alesi Jordan Honda (B) 1:16.543 + 2.458 20. Enge Prost Acer (M) 1:16.681 + 2.596 21. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:16.955 + 2.870 22. Yoong Minardi European (M) 1:17.508 + 3.423 All Timing Unofficial