Formula One news

McLaren fastest on opening day at Spa-Francorchamps

The McLaren drivers were the fastest men out on track in today's free practice sessions. In the afternoon Fernando Alonso set a fastest time of the day at 1.46.654, just ahead of team mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari drivers Massa and Raikkonen ended third and fourth. All everyone in the paddock was interested though is the espionage case.

The second 90-minute free practice session got underway at 14.00 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track. Already early in the session the McLaren drivers were well on the pace to set the fastest times. They would not give up that position until the end of the session. At the start of the session BMW drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were doing well in third and fourth, but towards the end of the session they had to settle with 9th and 11th.

Massa faced a difficult day at Spa. The Brazilian's first session finished after two laps in the gravel and in the second session he spun twice at the busstop.

At Williams Alexander Wurz complained about a lack of engine power, while at Red Bull Racing David Coulthard had to pull over his car with an hydraulic problem. In the final minutes Spyker driver Adrian Sutil spun his car at Malmedy and ended up in the tyre barriers. His team mate Sakon Yamamoto did extremely well as he ended the second free practice session in 17th position.

On Saturday the Belgian Grand Prix weekend will continue at 11.00 local time.

more news

• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa
  • Former Albers manager teams up with Doornbos
  • Massa: Beating Raikkonen will be difficult at Spa
  • Belgian Grand Prix technical preview
• 02 Sep.
  • Raikkonen: I need a good result at Spa
  • Button: Spa is just great!
  • Brawn hopes for mixed weather conditions
  • Toro Rosso invites Sato and Buemi for test
  • Glock hoping to score more points
  • Renault not giving up on fourth
  • Piquet determined to score at Spa
• 01 Sep.
  • Ecclestone supports Mosley
  • Trulli expects another strong weekend
  • Alonso determined to bounce back
  • Cregan to leave Toyota at end of season
  • Belgian Grand Prix snap shot
  • Mercedes boss expects tight end to season
• 31 Aug.
  • Alonso pleased with test progress
  • Honda still looking for Monza set up
• 30 Aug.
  • Force India eyes Honda after test progress
  • BMW boss wants both cars in the points
  • Aero updates for McLaren at Spa
  • Heidfeld in determined mood for Spa
• 29 Aug.
  • Hamilton finishes test on top
  • Another accolade for Frank Williams
  • Hamilton relishing Spa challenge
  • Photos: Friday in Monza
  • Former champion Phil Hill passes away
  • Alonso happy with first day at wheel
  • Rosberg hopeful of upward trend
• 28 Aug.
  • Heidfeld on top at Monza
  • Photos: Thursday in Monza
  • Raikkonen to play support role to Massa if needed
  • Renault happy with first day, despite position
  • Weather key to title - Whitmarsh
• 27 Aug.
  • Massa sets pace on first day at Monza

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