Magny-Cours (France), July 06: Fernando Alonso clocked the fastest time in the opening practice session for today’s French Grand Prix here yesterday giving home team Renault a welcome boost.
The young Spaniard clocked 1min 16.076 late in the session to knock Ralf Schumacher, who won at the Nurburgring last weekend, off the top in his Williams.
Then Rubens Barrichello grabbed the second best time of 1:16.190 in his Ferrari to push Schumacher down to third just ahead of elder brother Michael in the other Ferrari.
The session represented a return to business as usual after Friday's weather-affected opening qualifying period when Jos Verstappen took his Minardi to provisional pole.
However, yesterday Verstappen was second slowest over three seconds adrift of Alonso with teammate Justin Wilson bringing up the rear.


Bureau Report