Giancarlo Fisichella gave Renault hope of a fifth consecutive victory by setting the fastest time in this morning's first practice for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Fisichella, who won the opening round in Australia before three consecutive retirements, returned to form this morning to pip Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.
The Italian's best lap of one minute 15.605 seconds was just 0.026secs faster than Schumacher, who goes into this weekend's race on the back of a stunning second place at Imola two weeks ago. Schumacher's brother Ralf enjoyed a productive session and claimed third place while Rubens Barrichello brought the second Ferrari home in fourth.
Red Bull look set to avenge their Imola disappointments following some strong practice performances. The new team struggled badly in San Marino after three impressive races to start the season but Vitantonio Liuzzi and David Coulthard ended this morning's practice in fifth and sixth respectively.
World championship leader Fernando Alonso disappointed his legion of home fans by not setting a fast lap. The Renault driver, who has won three consecutive races, was the only driver not to set a time. Liuzzi was the first driver out on track as he prepares for just his second grand prix for Red Bull.
The reigning Formula 3000 champion was the only man to set a time for nearly a third of the session before Mark Webber clocked some much-needed laps in his Williams. The Australian was unable to compete at all yesterday as he waited for a new BMW engine to be flown in from Germany but he made up for lost time this morning a quickly took over top spot from Liuzzi.
Schumacher easily relieved Webber of that honour with his first flying lap before his brother Ralf went faster. The world champion tried too hard in his bid to reclaim the fastest lap, spinning at turn five with 11 minutes to go. The Ferrari driver's response was impressive though, with Schumacher going almost a second faster on his next lap.
Christijan Albers beached his Minardi in the turn 10 gravel with just five minutes remaining to bring out yellow flags for the second time in the session. Three minutes later Fisichella usurped Schumacher at the top of the timing sheets and his time survived a last-minute challenge from the world champion.
