Saturday First Free Practice

Formula One leader Michael Schumacher became a celebrity spectator on Saturday after his Ferrari broke down at the start of free practice for the U.S. Grand Prix.

The German, who could clinch a record sixth championship at The Brickyard on Sunday, rolled to a halt at the infield of turn nine just two minutes into the 45 minute first session.

Marshals pushed the car off the track and Schumacher clambered out, standing behind the Armco barrier for the rest of the session as photographers gathered around the captive champion.

The German and his fellow spectators did not have much to see for the opening half hour, with only a handful of cars bothering to take to the damp track on a bright but cold morning after heavy overnight rain.

The session was brought forward an hour to accommodate European television viewers and enable the later final qualifying to be shown at prime time.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Trulli Renault (M) 1:12.408 208.419 km/h 6 2. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:12.468 + 0.060 15 3. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:12.495 + 0.087 15 4. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:12.510 + 0.102 14 5. Alonso Renault (M) 1:12.741 + 0.333 6 6. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:13.098 + 0.690 17 7. Panis Toyota (M) 1:13.306 + 0.898 10 8. Frentzen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:13.363 + 0.955 7 9. Webber Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:13.573 + 1.165 14 10. Wilson Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:13.781 + 1.373 8 11. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:13.960 + 1.552 7 12. Verstappen Minardi Cosworth (B) 1:14.411 + 2.003 7 13. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:14.439 + 2.031 6 14. Kiesa Minardi Cosworth (B) 1:14.493 + 2.085 7 15. Button BAR Honda (B) 1:14.911 + 2.503 6 16. Fisichella Jordan Ford (B) 1:18.267 + 5.859 4 17. Firman Jordan Ford (B) 1:29.900 + 17.492 3 All Timing Unofficial