Practice 1: Panis shocks with fastest time
Olivier Panis caused a major surprise in the first practice session for this weekend's European Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in his Toyota as the more favoured runners struggled
The Frenchman emerged on top after a highly competitive session that saw the top three covered by just 0.063s. Jaguar star Mark Webber was second quickest, with Kimi Raikkonen third for McLaren.
Jarno Trulli, who set the fastest time in this morning's private test session, was fourth fastest for Renault, immediately ahead of his Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso. Antonio Pizzonia was sixth for Jaguar, with David Coulthard seventh.
Cristiano da Matta couldn't match the pace of his team-mate, although the Toyota star would normally be satisfied with ninth fastest. The Brazilian had an off-track excursion during the session, spinning off at the Mercedes arena, although he was able to continue without damage.
Both Williams and Ferrari struggled during the session. At their home circuit, Ralf and Michael Schumacher could only manage the eighth and 10th fastest times respectively. Juan Pablo Montoya was 11th quickest ahead of Rubens Barrichello, who lost time during the session when he dislodged his front wing running over the chicane.
Nick Heidfeld, who set the 16th fastest time, was another driver who lost his front wing over the steep kerbs of the chicane. However, the Sauber's wing fell completely off the car in the middle of the track, causing the session to be red-flagged while it was collected.
Jenson Button was 15th fastest, although he was yet again quicker than team-mate Jacques Villeneuve. Ralph Firman couldn't match his impressive time from the private test session and finished 18th, whilst Minardi rookie Justin Wilson brought up the tail of the field.
Previous article
Jordan Held Talks with Orange, Deutsche Post
Next article
McLaren unconcerned at crash test failure
Verstappen v Hamilton: Who was at fault?
Formula 1: Sprint Qualifying analysis
The F1 champion who became an Indy king in his second career
Emerson Fittipaldi’s decision to go racing with his brother led to him falling out of F1, but he bloomed again on the IndyCar scene. NIGEL ROEBUCK considers a career of two halves
Why Mercedes is pleased to be in the Hungary hunt at a 'Red Bull track'
Mercedes ended Friday practice at the Hungaroring with a clear gap to Red Bull thanks to Valtteri Bottas’s pace in topping FP2. But there are other reasons why the Black Arrows squad feels satisfied with its progress so far at a track many Formula 1 observers reckon favours Red Bull overall
How Red Bull endured its second car crash in two weeks
OPINION: Red Bull was justified to be upset that Lewis Hamilton survived his British GP clash with Max Verstappen and went on to win. But its attempts to lobby the FIA to reconsider the severity of Hamilton's in-race penalty were always likely to backfire, and have only succeeded in creating a PR disaster that will distract from its on-track efforts
The ‘screaming’ F1 engine future that may not be out of reach
OPINION: It wasn't just the Verstappen/Hamilton clash that had the Red Bull and Mercedes bosses at loggerheads at Silverstone, with the nature of Formula 1's 2025 engines also subject for disagreement. But hopes to have loud, emotive engines that are also environmentally friendly don't have to be opposed
The drivers that need to strike gold before F1's summer break
OPINION: Formula 1 is about to break up for summer 2021, with the title battles finely poised. But it’s not just the latest round of Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton that will be worth watching this weekend in Hungary, as plenty of drivers are eying big results to change the stories of their seasons so far
How Lotus F1 uncovered, then squandered its last ‘unfair advantage’
Cast in the mould of its founder Colin Chapman, Lotus was powerful and daring but flawed – as it proved through further soaring peaks and painful troughs into the 1980s. DAMIEN SMITH examines a game-changing era
The core problems Yas Marina’s long-awaited tweaks won't address
OPINION: Changes to the layout of Abu Dhabi’s circuit aim to reverse the trend of insipid Formula 1 races there - the promoter has even described one of the new corners as “iconic”. And that, argues STUART CODLING, is one of this venue’s abiding failings
How Ferrari offered Britain's next F1 prospect what Red Bull couldn't
Last year's Formula 2 runner-up Callum Ilott could be on his way to becoming the first Briton to contest a grand prix in an Alfa Romeo since Reg Parnell in 1950. But, says OLEG KARPOV, the Ferrari Driver Academy protege is having to temper his ambition at the moment – outwardly at least…
