Formula One news

Alonso sets strong early pace

Fernando Alonso set a strong early pace around the streets of Monte Carlo this morning clocking a best lap of 1m16.973s to finish 0.7s ahead of McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton. BMW's Nick Heidfeld was third despite almost colliding with the barriers at one point.

It was a warm and sunny morning in the principality and Alonso was in determined mood. Ferrari was among the early pace setters but did not seem to go for any fast laps in the final stages of the session, when most other cars did. Raikkonen finished fifth behind Fisichella while Massa was down in eighth behind the Red Bull of Webber and the Williams of Rosberg.

Kubica and Barrichello rounded off the top ten. The only major excitement came when Christijan Albers' Spyker ground to a halt in Tabac and almost blocked the track, but was quickly removed.

more news

• 10 Jul.
  • 'No Ferrari, no Australian Grand Prix'
  • Theissen: Prepare for all possibilities
  • Technical director leaves Red Bull
  • Webber leads opening practice in Germany
  • Photos: Friday at the Nurburgring
• 09 Jul.
  • FIA: FOTA knew the situation
  • Photos: Thursday at the Nurburgring
  • GPUpdate TV: "I can keep up with Vettel" - Mark Webber
  • A lap of the Nürburgring with Adrian Sutil
  • Alonso gets set for Oviedo Roadshow in September
  • Massa ready for football match
  • Insight: Nürburgring's effects on tyres
• 08 Jul.
  • FOTA explains reasons for walkout
  • FOTA teams walk out of FIA meeting
  • Räikkönen hoping for more luck
  • Brawn awarded for 'Outstanding Contribution'
  • FIA: All 13 teams must agree on changes
  • Top eight the target for Sutil
  • FOTA pledges to listen to fans more
  • GPUpdate TV: Nürburgring track guide
• 07 Jul.
  • 'New teams forced to use Cosworth'
  • Villeneuve still keen to return
  • Button on top form, admits Webber
  • Vatanen bidding for Mosley FIA job
  • End of holidays for Williams drivers
  • Piquet expecting rain in Germany
  • Lack of points 'a bit frustrating', says Fisichella
  • Fuji gives up F1 race
  • 'Another chance' for Toyota points
• 06 Jul.
  • Vettel more 'comfortable' at home
  • New aerodynamic components at Renault
  • Mallya hoping for better qualifying
  • Alonso looking for 'magic' solution
  • Trulli recognises importance of next race
  • GPUpdate TV: Wilson collects first Dale Coyne win
  • Racing takes priority for Hartley
  • Photos: Goodwood Festival of Speed
• 05 Jul.
  • Barrichello aiming to win again
  • Hamilton unable to drive Senna's McLaren
  • Updated double diffuser for BMW

Homepage