Davidson tops times as World Cup distracts Schumachers
Anthony Davidson was fastest when practice began for the United States Grand Prix but the first track action of the weekend at Indianapolis played second fiddle to this afternoon’s World Cup action.
The Honda driver’s time of one minute 12.083 seconds was the best of the one-hour session but few drivers spent long on track, many preferring to watch Germany take on Argentina in today’s quarter-final.
Ralf Schumacher set the tone by putting his feet up in the Toyota garage to watch the game while brother Michael also kept a close watch on his compatriots.
Even the overhead television screens in the Ferrari pit, which usually relay vital data to the driver, were switched to the action in Berlin, ensuring keen footballer Michael never missed a kick.
He eventually took to the track only after the half-time whistle had blown, but lost concentration and spun into the gravel at turn four.
His fastest lap was good enough for second though, 0.375secs down on Davidson, with BMW-Sauber test driver Robert Kubica third.
Honda’s Rubens Barrichello was fourth, just faster than team-mate Jenson Button, while Scuderia Toro Rosso tester Neel Jani completed the top six.
Renault’s world champion Fernando Alonso, along with Red Bull ace David Coulthard, were among 13 drivers not to set a time.
A healthy Friday crowd, albeit swamped by empty seats in the 400,000-capacity venue, gathered to watch the first American Formula One racer for 13 years.
But they got only the briefest glimpse of Scott Speed, whose Scuderia Toro Rosso car ground to a halt at the end of the pit lane six minutes into the session.
With so few drivers completing any serious laps, the fans had only off-track excursions from Formula One’s lesser lights to brighten the session.
Christijan Albers gave them good value with two spins in his Midland while Super Aguri tester Sakon Yamamoto bounced across the grass, a mistake mirrored by Red Bull’s Robert Doornbos late in the session.
