Alonso ahead of Hamilton in French grand prix practice
Fernando Alonso posts fastest time in Magny-Cours free practice session
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Friday, 20, Jun 2008 05:17
Fernando Alonso has outdone rival Lewis Hamilton by posting the fastest time in the second free practice session for the French grand prix at Magny-Cours.
Despite an unimpressive morning - having careered off the track with a blown engine - the Renault driver regained his composure to notch a best lap of 1:15.778.
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa achieved the second fastest time of the afternoon, having topped the grid in the morning, while Hamilton achieved the fourth fastest time of the day on 1:16:002.
The McLaren star's chances are greatly impaired by his penalty for last week's collision with title rival Kimi Raikkonen, with the Briton facing a ten-place grid penalty at Magny-Cours.
Alonso faced similar hurdles last year, as gearbox problems forced him to start in tenth but the Spaniard looks to be in impressive form ahead of Sunday's race.
However, he played down his chances, having performed indifferently this season:
"I am too far away from the front, from the other guys to do that. Mostly, I would like to finish on the podium this year and to win one race if that is possible, but I think it is difficult.
"We are getting closer, but really I am a bit disappointed because we are not where I think I would like to be.
"I hope we can finish in the top five, but it depends a bit on Hamilton because of where he may start the race."
French grand prix first practice times:
1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:15.306
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.002
3. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.055
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:16.073
5. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:16.377
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:16.400
7. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:16.758
8. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:16.838
9. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:16.870
10. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:16.886
11. Nelson Piquet Jr (Brz) Renault 1:17.063
12. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:17.234
13. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:17.269
14. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:17.394
15. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:17.491
16. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:17.683
17. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota 1:17.696
18. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:17.928
19. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 1:18.072
20. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 1:18.673
Second practice times:
1. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:15.778
2. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:15.854
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:15.999
4. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren 1:16.232
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:16.298
6. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:16.317
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren 1:16.340