Hakkinen tops first practice session

The Finn appeared for his first lap just nine minutes before the end - immediately knocking Coulthard's 1.18.462 off top spot with a 1.18.251.

Alex Zanardi looked strong in practice, setting the fastest time 1.18.746 and holding it until Coulthard re-appeared with 20 minutes to go, relegating him to second.

The Williams driver ended the session in third position.

Both McLaren drivers took part in the first session. Coulthard came out early for a couple of laps and then disappeared until 20 minutes from the end.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen looks to have recovered well after suffering severe bruising in Canada. He claimed fourth position with a 1.18.779.

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher looked supremely confident this morning in first of two free practice sessions.

The German did not make any attempt to put in any laps during the session.

Instead, he spent the time trying his cockpit out for size in the seclusion of the Ferrari garage.

Team-mate Eddie Irvine was nowhere to be seen. He also passed up the opportunity to take part in the hour's practice.

Arrows driver Pedro Diniz failed to set a time after suffering mechanical problems on his first lap out.

Diniz, Wurz, Zinardi and Herbert all ran wide onto the gravel, but managed to rejoin the track.

First practice session times from Magny-Cours