Friday First Free Practice - Austrian Grand Prix

Barrichello sets the early pace

Rubens Barrichello set the quickest time in the first of the day?s two free practice sessions this morning the Brazilian trying different aerodynamic set-up to his team-mate as he worked on race testing with three 7 laps runs throughout the session. Michael Schumacher was fifth fastest, he also working on a similar program and getting the feel of a brand new chassis (204), which he shook down for the first time at Fiorano last week.

Trulli second quickest for Jordan

Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen had a trouble free session, neither driver running the revised aerodynamic package tried at Silverstone last week. The Jordan Mugen-Hondas were in ?standard? trim but for a revised evolution two engine which the team are hoping are going to put them closer to the front end of the grid. They used the session to experiment with different balance set-ups as the grip level of the track went up.

New aerodynamics for BAR

The BAR team were using a revised aerodynamic package for their cars at this race, which they had also tried at Silverstone last week. Both drivers were happy with the results, Ricardo Zonta third fastest this morning while a relaxed Villeneuve played with set-ups throughout the morning, confident he could run a lot quicker.

Arrows well up

Jos Verstappen was delighted with his car after setting the fourth fastest time. He worked on brake balance during the session, otherwise had a trouble free session. Pedro de la Rosa was not so happy back in 17th place, the Spaniard blaming too much under steer-in the slow and medium speed corners for his slow time.

Troubled session for McLaren

Mika Hakkinen did only one lap when his McLaren-Mercedes expired with a mechanical fuel pump problem just like Coulthard had in France. Coulthard was delighted with his car, which he set the sixth fastest time with, but then could not make a final quick run because of a hydraulic system problem.

In brief...

The Williams team seem to be struggling on this track, Ralf Schumacher having two off course excursions on his way to a slow 21st place and unhappy with too much understeer. Button was learning the circuit, but still managed a more creditable 13th fastest. Fisichella lost time with a punctured rear right tyre, but took seventh fastest, his Benetton teammate complaining of no grip and only 11th at his home track.

Diniz had to change the set-up of his car after heading off in the wrong direction, his teammate Salo lucky to have a car after running over a kerb and banging the undertray, the kerb having been raised since last year. The prost team was using the Evo 3 engines to day, but plan to run the latest Evo 4 Peugeots for qualifying. The cars also had a revised exhaust exit under the car, but were still well of the pace in 18th and 19th place. Weather was grey and overcast, with rain expected later in the day.

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