Friday Second Free Practice - Japanese GP
Frenchman Jean Alesi demonstrated his intent to bow out of Formula One in style, as he set a blistering pace to top the times in Friday's free practice, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Frenchman Jean Alesi demonstrated his intent to bow out of Formula One in style, as he set a blistering pace to top the times in Friday's free practice, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Jordan driver Alesi posted a best lap time of 1:35.454 seconds late in the session, as he went more than half-a-second quicker than Williams's Juan Pablo Montoya.
Montoya had been at the top of the times for much of the session, but Alesi produced a late flyer to demonstrate his intent to go out of Formula One with a bang.
Eddie Irvine produced a flying lap early in the session in his Jaguar, as he moved to the top of the timesheets with a time more than three-tenths quicker than the previous best, set by Michael Schumacher.
Montoya then posted the quickest time, as Mika Hakkinen and Schumacher struggled to match the pace set. Heinz Harald Frentzen followed by setting the third best time of the day.
Midway through the session, Nick Heidfeld collided heavily with the barriers and was left with just one wheel connected to his Sauber, prompting the red flags to bring the session to a halt.
The German lost the front end of his car and also severely damaged the rear after crashing into the barriers as he exited the S-Curve.
David Coulthard, who had been forced to stay in the pitlane because of problems with his McLaren, spun in the gravel late in the session but managed to get his car out. Pedro de la Rosa proved the potential of the Michelin tyres as he powered to the second best time behind Montoya, who is also on the French rubber in his Williams. also troubled was Giancarlo Fisichella, whose session ended as his Renault engine smoked.
Pos Driver Team Times 1. Alesi Jordan Honda (B) 1:35.454 221.158 km/h 2. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:35.977 + 0.523 3. de la Rosa Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:36.225 + 0.771 4. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes (B) 1:36.430 + 0.976 5. Frentzen Prost Acer (M) 1:36.439 + 0.985 6. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:36.589 + 1.135 7. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes (B) 1:36.638 + 1.184 8. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:36.727 + 1.273 9. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:36.874 + 1.420 10. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:36.994 + 1.540 11. Button Benetton Renault (M) 1:37.645 + 2.191 12. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:37.665 + 2.211 13. Trulli Jordan Honda (B) 1:37.965 + 2.511 14. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:38.312 + 2.858 15. Raikkonen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:38.315 + 2.861 16. Fisichella Benetton Renault (M) 1:38.398 + 2.944 17. Alonso Minardi European (M) 1:38.961 + 3.507 18. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:39.108 + 3.654 19. Verstappen Arrows Asiatech (B) 1:39.511 + 4.057 20. Bernoldi Arrows Asiatech (B) 1:39.744 + 4.290 21. Yoong Minardi European (M) 1:39.952 + 4.498 22. Enge Prost Acer (M) 1:41.216 + 5.762 All Timing Unofficial
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