Second Friday practice: Michael still fastest

Published on 31 August 2001 by Thorsten Hendriks

Only the first 15 minutes of the second session gave drivers to improve their times, after that it started raining and the circuit was soaked. Fisichella was one of the few who was able to improve, he moved on to fourth. The top did not change; Ferraris were still first and third with Trulli between them.

Jos was quite satisfied with the first session: "I have tried the new front wheel suspension (which is a redeveloped version of the previous one) and it feels good. We won't jump into the top ten but it is a step forwards." Jos was not able to improve his time in the second session, others did and therefore Jos dropped to 17th. We hope to speak to Jos on the phone for his comments on today's events later.

The new World Champion had a little 'moment' in Eau Rouge. Michael was driving behind Pedro de la Rosa with a greater speed but did not see the green car and ran into it. Both cars stayed on the track but it could have been worse. With a damaged front and a broken right front wheel Michael Schumacher limped back to the pits, something we also saw in 1998. Then he ran into Coulthard while being in the lead.