America: Practice – Toyota in the midfield

By Nick Sparkes
July 1 2006

The final practice session before this afternoons qualifying hour saw Michael Schumacher and Ferrari dominate. Even a spin by the German failed to stop him, with Felipe Massa moving up into second. Toyota once again looked to be saving tyres, with the midfield very tightly bunched.

Saturday – Third Session

Ferrari looked be in a class of their own, with their nearest rival over a second behind. Nick Heidfeld looked impressive around the Indy Speedway and ended the session fourth, behind the Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella. Championship leader Fernando Alonso was down in sixth, in between the two Honda’s of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button.

Toyota looked to have improved upon their disastrous day from yesterday and as in pervious Grand Prix weekends looked to be saving tyres. Although they finished behind the Midland of Tiago Monteiro, it looks like their could be a good fight starting between them and their fellow Bridgestone team Williams who were also out of the top ten.

With no major incidents to report everybody should be ready for the knockout qualifying session which takes place this afternoon.

1	M. Schumacher		Ferrari		1:10.760	15
2	F. Massa		Ferrari		1:11.039	8
3	G. Fisichella		Renault		1:11.940	15
4	N. Heidfeld		BMW		1:12.049	18
5	R. Barrichello		Honda		1:12.149	13
6	F. Alonso		Renault		1:12.202	15
7	J. Button		Honda		1:12.269	18
8	J. Villeneuve		BMW		1:12.327	13
9	K. Räikkönen		McLaren		1:12.569	13
10	JP. Montoya		McLaren		1:12.592	10
11	V. Liuzzi		Scuderia Toro Rosso		1:12.675	18
12	M. Webber		Williams		1:12.904	15
13	T. Monteiro		Midland F1		1:12.913	18
14	J. Trulli		Toyota		1:13.091	21
15	R. Schumacher		Toyota		1:13.101	19
16	S. Speed		Scuderia Toro Rosso		1:13.103	17
17	C. Klien		Red Bull		1:13.113	15
18	C. Albers		Midland F1		1:14.172	19
19	N. Rosberg		Williams		1:13.230	12
20	D. Coulthard		Red Bull		1:13.364	17
21	T. Sato		Super Aguri		1:13.806	16
22	F. Montagny		Super Aguri		1:14.454	10