Schumacher says McLaren has closed the gap

McLaren was comprehensively out-performed by Ferrari at the opening rounds of the season in Australia and Malaysia, with Schumacher winning both races from pole position.

The Woking-based team insists it will not be fully competitive until the European arm of the championship begins in two weeks' time. But Coulthard signalled a possible performance increase for the Silver Arrows by finishing Friday's running more than a second clear of Jarno Trulli and 1.378s ahead of Schumacher in third.

The world champ believes that his Ferrari team will have to work harder this weekend if it is to be on the top step of the podium for the seventh race in succession.

"We will still have a bit of an advantage but certainly the times have closed up quite a bit," said Schumacher. "I think the McLarens are getting closer, but it is difficult to judge by how much in terms of time, because they were probably running different fuel loads to us today.

"You are always going to be faster if you are running a lighter fuel load so really you have to discover the real factors behind David's speed. Anyhow, I am sure it is going to be tighter and I know McLaren are going to be our main rivals again, so there is really more work for us to do."

DC's team mate Mika Hakkinen finished second to Schumacher in the first of Friday's free practice sessions, but slipped down to fifth by the close of play. However, Schuey still sees the Finn as his toughest rival.

"I don't want to talk David down and Mika up, but I don't think David will be the faster one," said Schumacher. "I still think Mika is the one to beat."

Schumacher's running was interrupted when he sustained a puncture to his right rear wheel caused by a nail on the track. Ferrari number two Rubens Barrichello had to be content with seventh place behind his team mate's younger brother Ralf.

For full results from free practice, click here.