Free practice 2: Barrichello fastest at Monza

Barrichello's time of 1m25.057s from the first free practice session remained his best and was good enough to hold off Schumacher who was only 0.06s behind the Brazilian. Jordan's Jarno Trulli was pushed down from second place at the end of the first session, into an impressive third.

The Maranello team's new C-type engine would appear to have helped on the Monza power circuit, although on overall horsepower the McLaren-Mercedes clinch it with 816bhp to Ferrari's 812.

Despite the extra power Mika Hakkinen looked to be struggling, spending much of the session languishing in eighth place after completing just an installation lap in the first session. A late lap moved the Finn ahead of McLaren-Mercedes team-mate David Coulthard into fourth place.

DC could do a little about it. An early off left the Scot beached in the Lesmo gravel trap and he was unable to improve his time as the rules prevent the use of spare cars on Fridays.

Eddie Irvine gave the ailing Jaguar team a boost by rounding out the top six, with Pedro de la Rosa snapping at the Irishman's heels in an impressive seventh place, his Arrows showing notable straight-line speed.

Both Saubers made it into the top 10, with Pedro Diniz in eighth spot and team-mate Mika Salo creeping into 10th place. Flying Dutchman Jos Verstappen took ninth.

Due to his off, David Coulthard has completed the least number of laps out of the frontrunners and will be up against it in tomorrow's qualifying session to move back up the ranks.


For the times from day one of the Italian GP, click HERE.