Monza test, day 1: Coulthard fastest

The Geman was conscious when he arrived at the track's medical centre, but his car came back in a serious state of damage. Eyewitnesses said the accident happened at the 150mph first Lesmo corner and that the car somersaulted several times.

Ralf's older brother Michael has accompanied him to the San Rafaele hospital in Milan for checks, although the German is believed to be unhurt in the incident.

Schumacher Jr had already had an incident earlier in the day when an oil leak caused a conflagration at the rear of his car. Team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya's day went more smoothly as Williams concentrated on long runs in order to evaluate tyre wear in the light of the new tyre rules interpretation imposed by the FIA.

Ferrari's Luca Badoer suffered an engine failure this morning, whilst Michael Schumacher's day ended early when he had problems with a new brake development.

Both McLaren drivers continued development on the MP4-17D.

Michelin have not commented further on the tyre issue, but Gazetto dello Sport reported earlier that Michelin F1 Project Manager Pascal Vasselon said the company could do nothing to change its Monza tyres at this stage.

Renault and Jordan will be joining the test for tomorrow and Thursday.




David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes) M 1m22.065s 61
Ralf Schumacher (Williams-BMW) M 1m22.416s 62
Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) B 1m22.532s 30
Jenson Button (BAR-Honda) B 1m22.630s 81
Alex Wurz (McLaren-Mercedes) M 1m22.630s 73
Jacques Villlenuve (BAR-Honda) B 1m22.647s 82
Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Sauber-Petronas) B 1m22.651s 69
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) B 1m22.753s 65
Takuma Sato (BAR-Honda) B 1m23.153s 32
Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams-BMW) M 1m23.163s 88

B = Bridgestone
M = Michelin