Saturday First Free Practice - British GP

World Champion Michael Schumacher sent a warning to his rivals in Saturday's opening practice session, ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, as he set the pace ahead of Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

German Schumacher completed 12 laps in the 45-minute session on his way to a best lap time of 1:20.750, while Barrichello completed another Ferrari one-two following their domination on Friday.

Brazilian Barrichello, who set the quickest time on Friday ahead of his teammate, was 0.428 seconds off the pace behind Schumacher.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen set the third best time - more than 1.6 seconds down on Schumacher - ahead of the impressive Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who took to the track for the first time following Arrows's resolution of a payment deal with engine suppliers Cosworth.

Jacques Villeneuve was fifth quickest for British American Racing, with McLaren's David Coulthard sixth. Williams pair Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya were only 13th and 14th in the times.

Takuma Sato was the first driver to take to the track, under cloudy sky, before Arrows drivers Frentzen and Enrique Bernoldi joined him for the first time this weekend.

The Arrows pair, who were prevented from running on Friday as owner Tom Walkinshaw attempted to thrash out a deal with Cosworth over late payments, ironically held the top two spots after 15 minutes of running.

Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella stopped on track at Stowe and failed to set a competitive time, while Nick Heidfeld, who was 12th fastest, parked his Sauber at the side of the track at Vale midway through the session.

Ulsterman Eddie Irvine failed to complete a timed lap, as his new Jaguar R3B remained in the garage during the session with gearbox problems, following his brief out lap.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:20.750 229.196 km/h 12 2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:21.178 + 0.428 11 3. Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:22.424 + 1.674 10 4. Frentzen Arrows Cosworth (B) 1:22.532 + 1.782 14 5. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:23.026 + 2.276 17 6. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:23.155 + 2.405 11 7. Sato Jordan Honda (B) 1:23.520 + 2.770 15 8. Bernoldi Arrows Cosworth (B) 1:23.537 + 2.787 16 9. Trulli Renault (M) 1:23.634 + 2.884 15 10. Button Renault (M) 1:24.109 + 3.359 9 11. de la Rosa Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:24.122 + 3.372 13 12. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:24.168 + 3.418 20 13. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:24.297 + 3.547 18 14. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:24.459 + 3.709 18 15. Massa Sauber Petronas (B) 1:24.490 + 3.740 20 16. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:25.031 + 4.281 8 17. Webber Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:25.730 + 4.980 18 18. Salo Toyota (M) 1:25.785 + 5.035 15 19. McNish Toyota (M) 1:26.219 + 5.469 14 20. Yoong Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:28.020 + 7.270 14 21. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) No Time 22. Fisichella Jordan Honda (B) No Time All Timing Unofficial