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closeAlonso fastest over opening 2 practices for the Spanish GP
PAUL LOGOTHETIS / The Associated Press
Friday, May. 11, 2007
BARCELONA, Spain – Two-time defending Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso was fastest in Friday’s practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver had the quickest lap time in the two practice sessions, finishing in 1 minute, 21.397 seconds in the afternoon on the 2.875-mile Circuit de Catalunya.
Giancarlo Fisichella of Renault was second in 1:21.684, and teammate Heikki Kovalainen was third in 1:21.966.
All 22 drivers from the 11 teams tested their cars.
Alonso is tied for the championship lead with teammate Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikonnen of Ferrari with 22 points after three races.
McLaren hadn’t topped a practice session since Alonso at the season-opening Australian GP.
Hamilton was fastest in the morning session with a time of 1:21.880. Alonso was second in 1:22.268. Raikonnen was third in the morning in 1:22.251, but was sixth in the afternoon.
“We don’t have to drive to like madmen now because we were first today,” Alonso said. “It was a good day because we tried everything we had to try and it all went well. We have definitely improved the car further since Bahrain. (It is) a great start to my home grand prix.”
Felipe Massa of Ferrari, who trails the championship leaders by five points, improved from fifth to fourth in the afternoon session with a lap time of 1:22.334.
Lap times were nearly 6 seconds slower on average compared to last year due to a new chicane replacing the final two bends on the circuit.
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher made an appearance in the Ferrari paddock for the first time since retiring from racing at the end of the 2006 season.
There is one more practice session Saturday morning before afternoon qualifying. Sunday’s race is 66 laps.