Friday First Free Practice - San Marino GP

Times tumbled towards the end of the first practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix on Friday as a drying track allowed Rubens Barrichello to lead the timesheets for Ferrari.

The Brazilian driver set a time nearly one-and-a-half seconds faster than team mate Michael Schumacher as Ferrari's preparations for their 'home' race began well.

Mika Hakkinen set third fastest time after spending most of the session in the garage, and his team mate David Coulthard ended in fourth.

Behind, Jordan claimed fifth and sixth with Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Arrows driver Jos Verstappen was forced out of the session after stopping on his first lap, and Fernando Alonso was also prevented from setting a competitive time with mechanical problems with his Minardi.

As the McLarens stayed firm in the pits, both the Ferraris came out early, and soon nestled into their usual position on top of the timesheets.

When Coulthard came out with 40 minutes gone, however, the Briton battled with Schumacher and Hakkinen - but it was Barrichello who went clear at the top with a superb time.

Pos. Driver Team Times 1. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:31.998 193.035 km/h 2. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:33.418 + 1.420 3. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes (B) 1:33.911 + 1.913 4. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes (B) 1:33.978 + 1.980 5. Trulli Jordan Honda (B) 1:34.119 + 2.121 6. Frentzen Jordan Honda (B) 1:34.549 + 2.551 7. Raikkonen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:35.153 + 3.155 8. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:35.390 + 3.392 9. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:35.683 + 3.685 10. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:36.192 + 4.194 11. Bernoldi Arrows Asiatech (B) 1:36.521 + 4.523 12. Fisichella Benetton Renault (M) 1:37.231 + 5.233 13. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:37.727 + 5.729 14. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:37.837 + 5.839 15. Button Benetton Renault (M) 1:38.256 + 6.258 16. Mazzacane Prost Acer (M) 1:38.382 + 6.384 17. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:39.812 + 7.814 18. Alesi Prost Acer (M) 1:39.961 + 7.963 19. Marques European Minardi (M) 1:41.116 + 9.118 20. Burti Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:41.867 + 9.869 21. Alonso European Minardi (M) 1:50.761 + 0:18.763 All timing unofficial