Practice 2: Ferrari continues to dominate

Just a tenth of a second separated the Maranello machines, with Michael Schumacher setting the quickest time The world champion flat-spotted a set of Bridgestones when he locked up going into Turn 3 and in the final moments team mate Barrichello looked on course to usurp him until he, too, overcooked it slightly into the tight, down-hill right-hander.

Third quickest was Jacques Villeneuve's BAR-Honda, which was within half a second of the ultimate Ferrari pace and a tenth clear of Fernando Alonso's Renault R23. With the R23s not expected to be as competitive as in Barcelona due to the demands the A1-Ring places on engine power, they nevertheless appear to be reasonably placed. Jarno Trulli was ninth.

Nick Heidfeld was fifth quickest with the first of the Saubers, while Jaguar continues to run at the sharp end with Antonio Pizzonia and Mark Webber in sixth and seventh places.

Giancarlo Fisichella was eighth fastest for Jordan, a second clear of team mate Ralf Firman who was down in 17th slot with the second EJ13. The Briton tweaked his hand in his qualifying accident at the final turn yesterday but is able to drive without too much discomfort.

The anticipated main Michelin challenge has not shown its hand yet, with Williams and McLaren occupying 11th to 14th positions in the order Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen.

Justin Wilson managed 18th quickest, a mite quicker than Cristiano da Matta, who had a moment at Turn 2 with his Toyota and looked as if, like yesterday, he is still searching for a balance.