2008 Belgian F1 GP - Friday Practice

September 6th, 2008

2008 Belgian F1 GP - Friday Practice

Fernando Alonso Friday Practice Spa 2008

Felipe Massa continued showing his back to the rest of the field and finished the practice 1 on top, 3 tenths ahead of Kimi Raikkonen. Both Ferraris ran this session without the shark fin engine cover. McLarens took 3rd and 4th further 3 tenths back. Toro Rosso cars continue to impress although this time both Alonso and Webber were a bit faster. It was difficult session for Robert Kubica who complained about the handling of his BMW Sauber throughout the session. Hondas were the slowest cars on the track in this session.

Friday Practice 1 times:

1. F. Massa - Ferrari - 1:47.284
2. K. Räikkönen - Ferrari - 1:47.623
3. L. Hamilton - McLaren - 1:47.878
4. H. Kovalainen - McLaren - 1:47.932
5. F. Alonso - Renault - 1:48.104
6. M. Webber - Red Bull - 1:48.428
7. S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso - 1:48.557
8. S. Vettel - Toro Rosso - 1:48.958
9. T. Glock - Toyota - 1:48.997
10. N. Piquet - Renault - 1:49.068
11. R. Kubica - BMW Sauber - 1:49.139
12. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber - 1:49.185
13. N. Rosberg - Williams - 1:49.611
14. J. Trulli - Toyota - 1:49.625
15. D. Coulthard - Red Bull - 1:49.849
16. G. Fisichella - Force India - 1:49.986
17. A. Sutil - Force India - 1:50.117
18. K. Nakajima - Williams - 1:50.125
19. J. Button - Honda - 1:50.464
20. R. Barrichello - Honda - 1:50.905

The afternoon practice was affected by the treacherous track conditions cause by the brief rain. Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen, Giancarlo Fisichella and Nelson Piquet all crashed their cars, the last two at the the same place where Raikkonen encounter with the safety tyre barrier created a river on the track. Fernando Alonso managed the fastest time in this session confirming his strong pace from P1. Behind him Felipe Massa stayed ahead of both McLaren drivers and his team mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Friday Practice 2 times:

1. F. Alonso - Renault - 1:48.454
2. F. Massa - Ferrari - 1:48.504
3. H. Kovalainen - McLaren - 1:48.740
4. L. Hamilton - McLaren - 1:48.805
5. K. Raikkonen - Ferrari - 1:49.328
6. N. Rosberg - Williams - 1:49.405
7. S. Vettel - Toro Rosso - 1:49.427
8. A. Sutil - Force India - 1:49.585
9. J. Trulli - Toyota - 1:49.715
10. N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber - 1:49.725
11. R. Kubica - BMW Sauber - 1:49.875
12. D. Coulthard - Red Bull - 1:49.922
13. S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso - 1:49.948
14. T. Glock - Toyota - 1:50.281
15. K. Nakajima - Williams - 1:50.364
16. G. Fisichella - Force India - 1:50.740
17. J. Button - Honda - 1:50.925
18. R. Barrichello - Honda - 1:51.238
19. N. Piquet - Renault - 1:51.334
20. M. Webber - Red Bull - 1:51.640