Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it

2002 Japanese Grand Prix 
First Friday Practice Session  

Main Page Formula 1 News 2015 F1 Schedule 2015 F1 Line-up 2014 F1 Results F1 Teams F1 Drivers NewsOnF1 Mobile 10 'n' Pole Register - Submit F1 Regulations The Forums Live F1 Coverage Time & Weather Motorsport Shop UK - USA Motorsport Calendar F1 Merchandise UK F1 Merchandise USA F1 Tours F1 Tickets F1 Diecast F1 Videos F1 Games F1 Trivia NewsOnF1 on Twitter MotoGP Tickets Past Formula 1 Seasons 2014 F1 Results 2013 F1 Results 2012 F1 Results 2011 F1 Results 2010 F1 Results 2009 F1 Results 2008 F1 Results 2007 F1 Results 2006 F1 Results 2005 F1 Results 2004 F1 Results 2003 F1 Results 2002 F1 Results 2001 F1 Results 2000 F1 Results 1999 F1 Results 1998 F1 Results 1997 F1 Results Links 2010 World Cup Translate Search Contact Us About Archives Your Say Diagnosis & Prognosis By the Heretic Controversy Corner The Real Race By the Quali-flyer F1 Testing F1 Team Reports 10 'n' Pole till 2012 8 'n' Pole 2006 World Cup

Download the NewsOnF1.com
toolbar powered by Alexa

Drivers Championship Constructors Championship
Reports & Results from other sessions

First Friday Practice Session Report - Results

Michael Schumacher sets the pace in the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of his team-mate Rubens Barrichello. The McLarens of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen were 3rd and 4th ahead of the Williams' of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.
The top 3 are separated by under 0.7 seconds while the top 6 are separated by 1.5 seconds.
Behind the top 6, Eddie Irvine in 7th is over 2.3 seconds behind. Interestingly enough, under a second separates Irvine and McNish in 17th.

Jacques Villeneuve suffered a heavy crash just before the half way mark after losing the back of his car and hitting the barriers. He was uninjured but his car was heavily damaged. It is unlikely that he'll be able to take part in the second practice session.
His team-mate Olivier Panis stopped on the track just after Villeneuve's crash and his session was over early.
A number of other drivers went off into the gravel but managed to recover. 

Takuma Sato covered the most number of laps with 22 followed by Alex Yoong with 19 laps and Mark Webber and Felipe Massa with 18 laps each. Jacques Villeneuve only managed 4 laps before his crash while Olivier Panis only did 6 laps.

The Michelin runners appear to have an advantage at this stage with 8 out of the top 10 using their rubber. It will be interesting to see how much improvements on the times the teams can achieve this afternoon during the second practice session.

Back to Top