Nürburgring, 20th July 2007

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro ended the first day of practice for the European Grand Prix in first and third places with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa respectively. Summer still refuses to be a friend of Formula 1 this season and while the morning session was run in dry and cool conditions, heavy rain hit the track during the lunch break between the two ninety minute sessions, meaning the track was still slightly slippery for the start of the afternoon practice. But the more serious problem, which affected everyone was that the wind changed direction from the morning and made the cars harder to drive through the corners when gusts of wind affected the handling.

While the winner of the last two grands prix topped the final time sheet, it was championship leader Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren-Mercedes who was second ahead of the Scuderia's Brazilian driver. As we have seen so often this season it was a Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro - McLaren Mercedes lock-out for the top places, as reigning world champion, Fernando Alonso was fourth. Toyota completed the top six today, with Ralf Schumacher ahead of Jarno Trulli. One new name on the time sheets today, as Markus Winkelhock, son of the late F1 driver Manfred Winkelhock, took over the Spyker seat vacated by Christijan Albers. He was the slowest driver today.