Free practice 2: Schuey spins into P1
Michael Schumacher showed his wet weather prowess to put even more distance between himself and the rest of the field during the second free practice session at Imola - but he also proved that even the regenmeister can make mistakes
The German had just bettered his first session time and looked set to go even quicker on the following lap, when he spun his Ferrari coming out of Variante Alta. The car rotated one and a half times, leaving Schumacher facing the wrong way. His car then stalled as he tried to get going and Michael was forced to abandon his cockpit.
He then got involved in an amusing row with a circuit official as he tried to find the best way back to the paddock. Schuey wanted to go one way, but the official was adamant he should head the other. After much arm-waving, the orange-clad official proved the victor and a rather grumpy looking Schumacher stalked off!
The rain had ceased during the first session and some drivers tried intermediate tyres as the track dried. But surprisingly there were fewer improvements down the field than might have been expected.
Rubens Barrichello did manage to go faster to put Ferrari one-two on the time sheets, pushing Giancarlo Fisichella's Jordan down to third. The Italian didn't go quicker than he had in the first session.
David Coulthard was another to go quicker to place his McLaren fourth, ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, another who didn't improve his time. The pair were the best of the Michelin runners, ahead of the Bridgestone-shod Arrows of Heinz-Harald Frentzen in an impressive sixth. The German's best time came in the first session.
Juan Pablo Montoya rose from a lowly 19th in the first session to ninth, one place ahead of team-mate Ralf Schumacher. But in the closing minutes, Montoya made a mistake and spun at the Villeneuve esses.
Others to be caught out on the wet track included both Jordans, Felipe Massa, Jarno Trulli (who was forced to abandon his car after spinning) and Allan McNish.
For full practice session 2 results, click here.
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