JULY 18, 2001
Ralf Schumacher fastest at Monza while DC goes home
Ralf Schumacher logged his 1m 23.940s in the morning session, some half second faster than team mate Juan Pablo Montoya and over a second to the good of third placed Alex Wurz, although the German's engine let go early in the afternoon session.
European Minardi appeared, with Fernando Alonso and potential new boy Alex Yoong, to try out a modified undertray, barge boards, a new rear wing and exhaust. Yoong was the slowest of the group and Alonso only completed two shakedown laps without setting a time with speculation growing that the Malaysian's first race will be at Spa this August.
With Michael Schumacher having the aches and pains of his monumental accident eased away at home in Geneva, Rubens Barrichello took over for Ferrari but started the session late as he could not find a good set-up on the new chassis 212 that was shipped from Monza overnight.
Rain stopped play at 15.50 when there was brief downpour, although this cleared up there were on and off heavy showers for the rest of the afternoon, ensuring that the track was very wet. Testing continues tomorrow.
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