image
Ferrari dominates and Sato engine blow creates work for mechanics

Ferrari and Michelin dominated Saturday's first practice session this morning in Suzuka, with Giancarlo Fisichella in 9th place setting the quickest time of the rest of the Bridgestone runners.  Takuma Sato's engine blew on entry to the pit lane as the session closed, putting the team under pressure as they work hard to replace the rear of Sato's race car with the T-car rear, so that the local Japanese hero can do further set-up work within the second session.

Driver Team Fastest Time
M Schumacher Ferrari 1.32.978
R Barrichello Ferrari 1.33.688
R Schumacher Williams 1.34.142
D Coulthard McLaren 1.34.540
K Raikkonen McLaren 1.34.552
J Montoya Williams 1.34.751
J Trulli Renault 1.35.550
E Irvine Jaguar 1.35.553
G Fisichella DHL Jordan Honda 1.35.541
F Massa Sauber 1.35.587
N Heidfeld Sauber 1.35.999
T Sato DHL Jordan Honda 1.36.199
J Button Renault 1.36.224
M Salo Toyota 1.36.265
P De La Rosa Jaguar 1.36.342
O Panis BAR 1.36.742
J Villeneuve BAR 1.36.830
A McNish Toyota 1.37.306
M Webber Minardi 1.37.673
A Yoong Minardi 1.39.254