Schumacher quickest in first session

The Williams driver headed a German one-two, just 0.004s faster than the man he swapped drives with at the end of last season, Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

The two McLarens were next up, with Jacques Villeneuve's BAR moving into fifth in the last few seconds.

Another poor showing from Ferrari, Eddie Irvine only in seventh place despite several set-up changes during the session, and nearly a second off the pace.

Rubens Barrichello was the slowest of the two Stewarts, still unhappy with his car and languishing in 15th place. His team-mate Johnny Herbert was sixth fastest, a promising performance.

The two Prost-Peugeots both had major problems. Jarno Trulli was eighth quickest but suffered an engine failure, while his team-mate Olivier Panis went from a top six placing to 14th when he had to park with a gearbox problem.

The only man to leave the track during the session was Pedro Diniz in the Sauber, he was back in 16th after spinning at La Source, but still ahead of his troubled team-mate Jean Alesi, a man who often excels at Spa.

The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix winner Damon Hill was ninth fastest, 0.9s slower than his team-mate Frentzen.

The second part of the session will commence at 9.15am BST.

Practice times from Spa: