Malaysia 1999: Friday Practice 1
Times
P. No Driver Team - Car Time/Laps
1. 22 Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:42.407 194.823 km/h
2. 2 Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:42.519 + 0:00.112
3. 11 Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:42.701 + 0:00.294
4. 4 Irvine Ferrari 1:42.725 + 0:00.318
5. 3 M Schumacher Ferrari 1:42.875 + 0:00.468
6. 12 Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:43.006 + 0:00.599
7. 16 Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:43.042 + 0:00.635
8. 1 Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:43.153 + 0:00.746
9. 10 Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:43.311 + 0:00.904
10. 17 Herbert Stewart Ford 1:43.349 + 0:00.942
11. 9 Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:43.403 + 0:00.996
12. 7 Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:43.417 + 0:01.010
13. 18 Panis Prost Peugeot 1:43.500 + 0:01.093
14. 8 Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:43.677 + 0:01.270
15. 19 Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:43.793 + 0:01.386
16. 20 Badoer Minardi Ford 1:44.818 + 0:02.411
17. 23 Zonta BAR Supertec 1:44.968 + 0:02.561
18. 6 R Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:45.164 + 0:02.757
19. 14 de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:45.397 + 0:02.990
20. 5 Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:45.833 + 0:03.426
21. 15 Takagi Arrows TWR 1:46.690 + 0:04.283
22. 21 Gene Minardi Ford 1:49.451 + 0:07.044
107% time : 1:49.575
FIA Press Release
Free practice, 13.00 to 14.00
Weather conditions: overcast and humid
Villeneuve fastest for British American
Jacques Villeneuve's British American 01 wound up fastest on 1m 42.407s after fitting new tyres for his final run. "We proved we are competitive," said Craig Pollock, "because when we arrive on a new circuit then we are up with the leaders," Ricardo Zonta stopped on the circuit with clutch problems after setting 17th fastest time on 1m 44.968s.
Coulthard second for McLaren
David Coulthard finished the day second fastest in his McLaren-Mercedes on 1m 42.519s after the circuit dried out for the second hour. "It is a generally enjoyable track and we have had a good first day," said the Scot who, like team-mate Mika Hakkinen, remained on his original set of tyres throughout. Mika Hakkinen wound up eighth fastest on 1m 43.153s. Having made set-up changes to his car in the closing moments of the session he was unable to capitalise on them after both Jordans spun right at the end of the session.
Alesi third for Sauber
Jean Alesi set third fastest time in his Sauber-Petronas on 1m 42.701s using a qualifying set-up, the Frenchman still complaining of oversteer on the exit of high speed corners. Pedro Diniz had a similar handling imbalance on his way to sixth fastest time on 1m 43.006s.
Ferraris fourth and fifth
The Ferrari F399s of Eddie Irvine (1m 42.725s) and Michael Schumacher (1m 42.875s) wound up fourth and fifth fastest, both drivers working on different set-ups but only using a single set of tyres apiece during the course of the day. "No problem, no pain, the Ferrari seems in good shape and so am I," said Schumacher.
Barrichello seventh for Stewart
Rubens Barrichello set seventh fastest time on 1m 43.042s with his Stewart-Ford SF3. "When you are driving the conditions are OK," he said, "but when you stop you really feel the heat here. Even for a Brazilian." Johnny Herbert (10th/1m 43.349s) complained of poor handling balance.
Briefly
Alexander Wurz (9th/1m 43.311s) complained that his Benetton Playlife had a nervous rear end while team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella (11th/1m 43.403s) also reported too much oversteer and lack of grip. In the Jordan camp both drivers spun shortly before the end, Damon Hill (12th/1m 43.417s) and Heinz-Harald Frentzen (14th/1m 43.677s) after struggling with grip. "It is certainly difficult to find the right line here," said Hill, "but I would prefer to spin at the last minute rather than at the first."
|
