Formula 1: Schumacher sets the pace
Michael Schumacher’s supremacy on the streets of Monte Carlo was quickly evident this morning as practice got underway for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The German, who has won Formula One’s most famous race four times in the past six years, dominated the opening session in his Ferrari.
The reigning world champion and current title pacesetter finished a massive 0.8 seconds ahead of title rival David Coulthard in his McLaren-Mercedes.
Coulthard, who trails Schumacher by four points, won what is now his home race for the first time last year and is desperate for a repeat victory that would give him the lead in the title chase.
The Jordan-Honda duo of Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen were third and fourth fastest respectively, but both were more than a second off Schumacher’s pace.
Finland’s Mika Hakkinen was fifth quickest just ahead of Brazil’s Rubens Barrichello in the other Ferrari.
Eddie Irvine was ninth fastest for Jaguar Racing on a track where he scored the team’s first points last season and where he will be looking to claim their first points of this campaign on Sunday.
Jenson Button was confined to the Benetton garage for much of the opening session, but belatedly emerged to finish in 18th spot.
Monaco’s mean streets did claim two early victims this morning as Jaguar Racing’s Pedro de la Rosa and Minardi’s Tarson Marques both hit the guard-rail.
Spaniard de la Rosa saw his rear wing go flying as he slid into the barrier near the Mirabeau hotel complex while the rear of Marques’ car was badly damaged as he hit the metal at Rascasse.
