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Schumacher Quickest at Monza - Day One

The ten Formula One teams got back to action today at the Monza circuit, in what was the first testing session following August's ban.

The ten Formula One teams got back to action today at the Monza circuit, in what was the first testing session following August's ban.

A massive eighteen drivers were at work at Monza today, with World Champion Michael Schumacher finishing on top of the times in a session dominated by the Ferrari team. Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello was second quickest less than a tenth of a second behind the German.

The BAR-Honda drivers followed the Ferrari duo, with Briton Anthony Davidson posting the third fastest time, but nearly a second behind Schumacher. Japanese driver Takuma Sato was fourth ahead of the first of the Williams, driven by Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who returned to testing duties for the first time since June.

Montoya worked alongside Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, who yesterday found out he will race at the Italian Grand Prix next week after Ralf Schumacher was ruled out of the test. Pizzonia was ninth quickest.

Renault drivers Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli completed a positive day following their disappointing Belgian Grand Prix. The team ran solutions to the oil leak problem experienced at Spa, while both drivers completed the initial phase of the tyre selection programme.

"In spite of several small niggles during running this morning, we completed a successful first day of running at Monza," said Renault's Chief Test Engineer Christian Silk. "Both drivers quickly settled back in to running the car in its low-downforce configuration, and the Monza-specific aero package performed as expected.

"The engine reliability was encouraging, and we have made good progress with the tyre programme, giving us a solid base for continuing our work tomorrow."

Belgian Grand Prix winners McLaren continued with the development of their MP4-19B, with Scot David Coulthard and Austrian Alex Wurz at the wheel. Coulthard finished as eighth quickest while Wurz was down in 13th position. Last Sunday's winner Kimi Raikkonen will join the test later on this week.

Jaguar worked with both their racing drivers Christian Klien and Mark Webber, while the Toyota team were in action with Frenchman Olivier Panis and test driver Ryan Briscoe, who got back behind the wheel following his heavy accident during Friday practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Sauber and Jordan had only one driver each in action, while the Minardi team had Gianmaria Bruni and Bas Leinders, but both men shared testing duties with one car.

Testing resumes tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:20.187 77 2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:20.240 90 3. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:21.049 111 4. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:21.458 94 5. Montoya Williams-BMW (M) 1:21.654 90 6. Alonso Renault (M) 1:21.702 110 7. Klien Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:21.752 59 8. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:21.826 101 9. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:21.856 80 10. Fisichella Sauber-Petronas (B) 1:22.013 90 11. Panis Toyota (M) 1:22.100 87 12. Trulli Renault (M) 1:22.300 65 13. Wurz McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.379 93 14. Webber Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:22.381 82 15. Briscoe Toyota (M) 1:22.764 52 16. Pantano Jordan-Ford (B) 1:23.399 77 17. Bruni Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:23.449 29 18. Leinders Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:24.441 34 All Timing Unofficial

Visit Atlas F1's Testing Center for further information

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