During today's first free practice session for ...

Published on 24 July 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

During today's first free practice session for the grand prix of Austria, Jos drove the 18th time in 1:16.721. Until a few minutes before the end of the session he was just 0.008 sec behind his team mate Rubens Barrichello, however, Rubens was like other drivers able to improve his time in his last lap. Jos was able to continuously improve his time during the session, from 1:18.446 to 17.708, 16.942 and finally 16.721.

Eventually, Michael Schumacher was fastest in 1:14.507 but Giancarlo Fisichella set at the end of the session the fastest time in 1:14.380 followed by Michael Schumacher, Coulthard, Wurz, Frentzen and Alesi. The gaps between all drivers are like last year very small. Mika Salo ended at 3.2 sec behind Giancarlo Fisichella at position 21. Ricardo Rosset however was slowest again with a gap of 5.3 sec and therefor out of the 107% rule. For a complete overview you can take a look at our season page.