Silverstone, 9th June 2006

Felipe Massa ended the first day of free practice for the eighth round of the world championship with the sixth fastest time, while Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team-mate Michael Schumacher was eighth. Both the Brazilian and the German had off-track excursions today, as did many of their fellow drivers. Ironically, it is probably down to the extremely hot and dry weather in England at the moment that the track surface has been so dirty and slippery on this first day of the British Grand Prix weekend. Michael also felt that wind, often a problem on this very open former airfield, had played a part in catching out the cars. Nevertheless, both men declared themselves confident regarding the outcome of the next two days. Quickest, and the only man to get under the 1m 22 seconds barrier was Robert Kubica, the Williams Friday-only driver. Second fastest and first "race" driver was Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella, who has always liked this track. Third and fourth places went to two more Friday men; the Williams of Alex Wurz and the Honda of Anthony Davidson. In fifth spot was Jarno Trulli in the Toyota. Splitting the two Ferrari men in seventh place was world champion Fernando Alonso in the Renault. Another new name appeared on the time sheet this weekend: Sakon Yamamoto is filling third driver duties for Super-Aguri.