Highlights

Imola sets for another Alonso-Schumacher duel

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-21 23:38

The San Marino Grand Prix could be in for another Fernando Alonso-Michael Schumacher duel.

Defending Formula One world champion Alonso led the seven-time winner in the second practice session Friday for the San Marino GP.

A year ago, Alonso beat Schumacher by 0.2 seconds at Imola after dueling over the final 12 laps to win one of the closest races in years. The difference Friday was only slightly larger _ 0.328 seconds.

Alonso said his car was hindered by a lack of grip and under-steer.

"I think we are quick as well, but as always the times on Friday don't mean too much," the Spaniard said. "If we can make some good changes tonight, though, I think we will be in a strong situation for the race."

Alonso clocked 1 minute, 25.043 seconds with the session nearly finished. Schumacher then timed 1:25.371 on his final lap around the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit.

Two test drivers _ BMW-Sauber's Robert Kubica and Honda's Anthony Davidson _ followed in third and fourth positions.

Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, Felipe Massa, was next in fifth position, followed by Alonso's fellow Renault driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, in sixth place.

Fisichella was driving Renault's new B-spec engine, which provided higher revs than Alonso's engine. Alonso is scheduled to start racing with it in two weeks at Nurburgring.

Ferrari is also introducing changes this weekend, with aerodynamic and engine improvements for both cars.

"We have made progress in various areas and even if they are only minor things, all put together they have produced a good step forward," Schumacher said. "The whole package is working better and therefore the car is quicker."

Toyota's Jarno Trulli was seventh, while McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya (ninth) and Kimi Raikkonen (11th) were split by Honda's Jenson Button in 10th place.

In Friday's opening session, Schumacher was quickest, although Renault did not record any times.

Alonso leads the drivers' standings with 28 points, 14 more than Fisichella and Raikkonen, who share second place. Schumacher and Button are next with 11 points each.

Schumacher has a record six wins at Imola and the German will go for his 66th career pole in Saturday's qualifying, which would break the record he shares with Ayrton Senna.

Raikkonen took the pole here last year. Button gained his first pole here in 2004 and also started first in Australia three weeks ago.

Renault dominated the first three races of the season, with Alonso winning twice and Fisichella once. Ferrari has struggled since Schumacher's runner-up finish at the season-opener in Bahrain.

Excluding last year's U.S. Grand Prix in which only six cars competed due to a tire dispute, Schumacher has not won since the Japanese GP in October 2004.

"I think we can fight for pole tomorrow and I even believe we can be in the hunt for the win on Sunday," Schumacher said.

Another practice session is scheduled for Saturday morning, before qualifying in the afternoon. Sunday's race is over 62 laps.