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China makes F1 debut, Davidson ranking 1st in free practice
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-24 14:04

BAR's Anthony Davidson set the pace on Friday as China's new grand prix circuit made its long-awaited Formula One debut.

 The British test driver, who will not race on Sunday, lapped the $325 million circuit in one minute 35.369 seconds in a first free practice session run before a towering but largely empty grandstand.

 
Ferrari's seven-times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher gives instructions to his crew during the first practice session at Shanghai Circuit September 24, 2004. [Reuters]

Germany's Ralf Schumacher, returning for Williams after a six-race absence following his big crash in the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in June, was second quickest in 1:35.455 Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, who secured his seventh world championship in Belgium last month, was only 15th on the timesheets after stopping at the end of the pit exit with three minutes remaining.

 Schumacher's Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello, winner of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza 12 days ago, was seventh quickest as the champions made a slow start to their preparations for Formula One's first race in China.

 Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, making his Formula One comeback with Renault after a year's absence, was 14th.

  1. Anthony Davidson (Britain) BAR     one minute, 35.369 seconds
  2. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams       1:35.455
  3. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams   1:35.761
  4. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Sauber             1:36.086
 *5. Ryan Briscoe (Australia) Toyota          1:36.394
  6. Jenson Button (Britain) BAR              1:36.475
  7. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari      1:36.660
  8. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault          1:36.884
  9. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Sauber      1:36.894
 10. Ricardo Zonta (Brazil) Toyota            1:36.970
 11. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren         1:37.102
*12. Bjorn Wirdheim (Sweden) Jaguar           1:37.142
 13. Olivier Panis (France) Toyota            1:37.191
 14. Jacques Villeneuve (Renault) Canada      1:37.240
 15. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari     1:37.300
 16. Takuma Sato (Japan) BAR                  1:37.438
 17. Timo Glock (Germany) Jordan              1:37.585
 18. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren        1:37.976
 19. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Jordan           1:38.132
 20. Christian Klien (Austria) Jaguar         1:38.504
 21. Mark Webber (Australia) Jaguar           1:38.761
 22. Gianmaria Bruni (Italy) Minardi          1:38.805
*23. Robert Doornbos (Netherlands) Jordan     1:39.244
*24. Bas Leinders (Belgium) Minardi           1:39.529
 25. Zsolt Baumgartner (Hungary) Minardi      1:42.795
   
    *Denotes test drivers who will not race on Sunday.



 
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