Istanbul, 9th May

Both Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers topped a time sheet today: Felipe Massa was quickest in the morning and Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time in the second ninety minute session. But it was not all plain sailing for the Prancing Horse duo on the first day of practice for Sunday's fifth round of the season, as the Finnish driver only managed a total of three laps in the morning, after he was confined to the pit garage with a gearbox problem. But the winner of the first Turkish Grand Prix three years ago soon got back into his stride, rattling off thirty laps in the afternoon, despite the fact that the track was hit with light rain for a while. Felipe did a total of forty five laps today. In fact, at this technically demanding circuit, there were quite a few people spinning off the track, which emphasised the difference in the cars this year as they no longer have electronic driver aids, such as traction control. Tyres are also critical here, as the long fast corners can cause graining, a conditions when used rubber builds up on the surface of the tyre. Therefore, great attention was paid to the comparison of the two types of tyre available.


Lewis Hamilton was second fastest for McLaren-Mercedes, while in fourth spot was Red Bull Racing's David Coulthard. Fifth, having been cleared to drive after his big Spanish GP crash, was Heikki Kovalainen in the second McLaren, while the BMW-Sauber of Robert Kubica completed the top six. There are only twenty cars on the time sheet, because of the fact that the Super Aguri team has pulled out of the season through lack of funds. The first critical stage of the weekend takes place tomorrow afternoon, with the grid-deciding qualifying session, but before then, there is a final hour of free practice for the teams to fine tune their cars on a track which will no doubt have evolved and got more grip than today, from the other formulae cleaning the racing line and putting down more rubber this afternoon and tomorrow morning.