Frentzen flies as rain hits session

Heinz-Harald Frentzen set the fastest time in the first practice session for the British Grand Prix as the forecast rain disrupted proceedings

Most of the teams abandoned running when heavy showers began after around half an hour, leaving Frentzen fastest by 0.4s ahead of Jaguar's Eddie Irvine.

The nightmare continued for Irvine's team-mate Johnny Herbert, he coasted to a halt on the pit straight before completing a flying lap.

Neither Schumacher brother had a good session. Ralf's Williams stopped at the pit exit as he tried to start his out lap, while championship leader Michael failed to set a time before the rain hit.

The McLarens were fourth and fifth, David Coulthard fractionally faster than Mika Hakkinen, with Jarno Trulli and Jacques Villeneuve, whose stopped on course towards the end of the session, completing the top six.

Full times to follow...

1 H-H Frentzen Jordan 1m27.683s
2 E Irvine Jaguar 1m28.169s
3 D Coulthard McLaren 1m28.525s
4 M Hakkinen McLaren 1m28.659s
5 J Trulli Jordan 1m28.705s
6 J Villeneuve BAR 1m28.845s
7 R Barrichello Ferrari 1m29.083s
8 A Wurz Benetton 1m29.111s
9 G Fisichella Benetton 1m29.214s
10 M Gene Minardi 1m29.557s
11 J Button Williams 1m29.775s
12 P Diniz Sauber 1m30.214s
13 P de la Rosa Arrows 1m30.279s
14 J Verstappen Arrows 1m30.313s
15 M Salo Sauber 1m30.643s
16 J Alesi Prost 1m30.656s
17 N Heidfeld Prost 1m31.006s
18 G Mazzacane Minardi 1m31.250s
19 R Zonta BAR 1m31.322s
20 M Schumacher Ferrari 1m36.425s
21 J Herbert Jaguar no time
22 R Schumacher Williams no time