MICHAEL SCHUMACHER TURNED back the clock to record the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix today.
The circuit was bathed in sunshine – a stark contrast to the rainy opening practice session at the Belgium Grand Prix last weekend.
The German, who has finished first at the Monza circuit a record five times, clocked a time of one minute 25.422 seconds for his Mercedes team.
The winner in Belgium, McLaren’s Jenson Button, was second quickest with Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Rosberg third.
Traditional Italian favourites Ferrari had both their drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, record the fourth and fifth fastest times respectively, but the former was forced to retire late in the session with a possible transmission problem.
Controversy
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton put a controversy-filled week behind him to clock the sixth fastest time, followed by Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen, Sauber’s Sergio Perez and Red Bull’s Mark Webber.
Williams’ driver Pastor Maldonado rounded out the top 10 – but was also forced to retire after running off the track near the end of the session.
Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel finished 11th fastest. The clear weather conditions are expected to remain for the second practice session later this afternoon.
