Warm-up: Ralf quickest

The German headed the McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen. Coulthard will start a lowly seventh in the race, but will be buoyed by his car's pace on full fuel tanks. McLaren has raced better than it has qualified at most races this year and the Scot headed the session until the last few minutes when Schumacher set his time.

But the warm-up ended on an unhappier note for Hakkinen. He outbraked himself at the end of the short back straight and went off on to the grass. His car clattered into the barrier at low speed, but it was still enough to damage his right front and back wheels and suspension.

Juan Pablo Montoya also had a trying session. The Colombian, who will start right behind his Williams team mate Schumacher in fourth, suffered a mechanical failure on the pit straight just six minutes into the warm-up. His car dropped its oil all over the track, causing the session to be red flagged to allow the marshals to clear it up.

For warm-up results click here.