Schumacher Surprised at Gap to Rivals
World Champion Michael Schumacher was surprised at the gap to his rivals in today's practice session for the United States Grand Prix.
World Champion Michael Schumacher was surprised at the gap to his rivals in today's practice session for the United States Grand Prix.
Schumacher put Ferrari ahead of the rest after teammate Rubens Barrichello slammed his car into a wall. Schumacher returned to the Ferrari garages after Barrichello's accident and sat out the rest of the session before putting in 30 more laps in the afternoon.
The German, who clinched his record-equalling fifth Championship more than two months ago and is seeking his 11th win of the season, ended the day fastest after completing just four laps in the morning.
His time of 1:13.548 was more than half a second faster than Jaguar's Eddie Irvine, second quickest, and more than a second ahead of third placed David Coulthard with the McLaren.
"Overall, we can be reasonably pleased with today's work," said Schumacher. "Even though I did very few laps in the morning, the car proved to be on the pace immediately. Then, in the afternoon, I worked on a tyre programme. I have to say I am surprised at the gap to the others and the order is also a bit strange.
"But we will not see the true picture until tomorrow, as we cannot be sure what fuel loads the others were running today. There was not much grip on the track today, but we have seen a similar situation in the past here. It is the same for everyone."
Brazilian Barrichello, winner of the last Italian Grand Prix, dipped into the damp grass verge on the exit of turn 13 into the straight, spun 360 degrees and jinked across the track before hitting a wall broadside.
The high-speed impact, at the end of the Barrichello's opening installation lap on an overcast and damp morning, ripped off the left rear wheel and left a light scattering of debris across the asphalt.
Barrichello clambered out as the session, on an overcast and damp morning at the Motor Speedway, was halted for 19 minutes as track workers cleaned up the surface and retrieved the stricken car. Barrichello failed to get back out and was left without a lap time after the opening day.
"We think it might be a tyre thing, but we really don't know," Barrichello said.
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