Formula One news

Raikkonen fastest in opening practice

The Ferrari team dominated the first free practice session at the team's home Grand Prix at Monza this morning. Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were the fastest drivers at the end of the session, just ahead of championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

The Italian Grand Prix weekend went underway this morning at 10.00am at Monza. Temperatures went already up to 23 degrees Celsius. After half an hour of free practice it was Italian Jarno Trulli topping the time sheets.

It wasn't until the 40th minute when Ferrari and McLaren let their drivers go on track. It was a difficult start of the weekend for Alonso. In his installation lap the Spaniard suffered from an technical problem and slowly drove back to the pitlane. Twenty minutes before the end of the session Fernando Alonso went out again but was unable to complete a clean lap during his first flying lap. He missed the chicane and spun in the Ascari chicane. At the same time Lewis Hamilton spun his McLaren around in the first chicane.

At Williams and Super Aguri the drivers complained about a nervous rear of the car. Both Rosberg and Sato missed the chicanes this morning a couple of times and will have to work on the stability of their Williams and Super Aguri car.

At Spyker the drivers enjoyed the team's official Grand Prix debut with the new car. Adrian Sutil showed immediately the team made a good improvement as the German was able to cover the laps faster than direct his competitors at Scuderia Toro Rosso.

more news

• 12 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Fuji
• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock

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