Practice 1: Webber hits Schu; goes fastest

Webber lapped the wet but drying Magny-Cours circuit in 1m26.915s, a whole 1.2secs faster than the Williams-BMW of European GP winner Ralf Schumacher. Webber had earlier lost track time when he collided with Michael Schumacher in the pits.

The Ferrari was waved out as Webber was driving along the pit lane. Schumacher seemed to hesitate and stop in the Australian's path, causing the Jaguar to slide into him and wreck its front wing.

Renault pairing Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli were third and fourth fastest, ahead of M Schumacher. Antonio Pizzonia rounded off Jaguar's excellent session with the sixth quickest time.

Olivier Panis was seventh fastest for Toyota, despite a brief spin, just ahead of the impressive Giancarlo Fisichella of Jordan-Ford. Kimi Raikkonen was ninth for McLaren, while Nick Heidfeld's Sauber rounded out the top 10.

Juan Pablo Montoya was 11th in his Williams, ahead of the second Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello (who had a long excursion into the gravel at the first corner) and David Coulthard (McLaren).

Heinz-Harald Frentzen ended up 14th in his Sauber, but had looked good when the track was at its wettest, while Ralph Firman (Jordan), Cristiano da Matta (Toyota) and the Minardis of Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson completed the rather sparse 18 car field with the BARs locked in their trucks.