Free practice 4: Schuey out, but still top

Flying Finn Mika Hakkinen was able to improve his time, however, edging out the Williams-BMW of Ralf Schumacher and the second Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello with a 1m12.220s effort that was just 0.252 seconds off Michael Schumacher's time. This came despite a lurid slide into the Turn 4 gravel as Hakkinen tried to improve his time further towards the end of the session.

The Finn was coming under intense pressure from Nick Heidfield, who improved to a surprise third in the Sauber. The German had also edged out Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher with a superb 1m12.407s lap, and massively outpaced team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who could only muster the 10th quickest time of the session.

Former Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Monotya failed to improve on his sixth place from the first session, despite bettering his time by a further 0.1 seconds on his first taste of the Brickyard's 2.607-mile road course.

Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella did manage to edge ahead of the McLaren-Mercedes of David Coulthard, however, for seventh spot. The Scot was unable to improve his 1m12.724s best lap from the earlier session and ended morning practice in an even more dissppointing eighth spot.

Jenson Button was unable to match Benetton team-mate Fisichella's form with the ninth quickest time, another driver not able to improve his time as the track warmed. Jacques Villeneuve continued his difficult weekend in 19th place, 0.8 seconds down on team-mate Olivier Panis in 12th, despite improving his times slightly.

Joining the French Canadian at the tail end of the field was Jaguar's Eddie Irvine in 17th place, again outpaced by team-mate Pedro de la Rosa. Jos Verstappen was another to drop down the order, the Dutchman's Arrows now sandwiched by Minardi drivers Fernando Alonso and Alex Yoong at the tail end of the field.

For combined Saturday practice results click here.