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Raikkonen fastest in practice

Stan Rayan

Hamilton tops second session; Fisichella impresses

MELBOURNE: World champion Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest man around the Albert Park as the Formula One season began with the Australian Grand Prix’s first practice session here on Friday. But many of the teams kept their cards close to the chest.

Raikkonen topped the opener but could manage only sixth place in the afternoon session which was headed by McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, last season’s runner-up.

Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella, 35 and eager to prove that he is still good for the F-1 circuit, came up with a strong performance, finishing ninth fastest in the second session. He was 12th in the opening round while his young teammate, German Adrian Sutil, was 17th in both rounds.

“It was a good challenge and it looks quite promising. It’s a good start,” said Fisichella, the champion here three years ago.

Fine run

Fisichella’s fine run had the new Indian team smiling. “We can be racing for points,” said Force India’s Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne about Sunday’s main race.

“The mid-field is going to be very close. Between the sixth and 16th positions, the difference may be just one or two-tenths of a second.

But team principal Collin Kolles threw a note of caution. “I don’t think everybody has put his cards on the table,” he said. “We can go quicker, the question is, how quicker will the others go.”

Fisichella unwell

Kolles revealed that Fisichella had fever during the practice run. And the conditions were difficult, it was very windy and very hot.

The new rules, like the ban on engine braking system and traction control, have affected many drivers, said Vitantonio Liuzzi, the Indian team’s test driver.

Some feel better, some are struggling. For example, Raikkonen was struggling in the afternoon. Raikkonen likes to live on the edge in his car but with the new rules, he couldn’t do much.

But Saturday’s qualifying will offer a clearer picture.

Practice session timings (top five):

First session: 1. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari, 1m, 26.461s), 2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes, 1:26.948), 3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 1:26.958), 4. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes, 1:27.114), 5. Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault, 1:28.263). 12. Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India-Ferrari, 1:29.230); 17. Adrian Sutil (Force India-Ferrari, 1:30.155).

Second session: 1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes, 1:26.559), 2. Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault, 1:27.473), 3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 1:27.640), 4. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes, 1:27.683), 5. David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault, 1:28.037). 9. Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India, 1:28.469); 17. Adrian Sutil (Force India, 1:29.161).

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