Schumacher on the pace at European Grand Prix
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-27 20:48

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher made an early declaration of intent on Friday with the quickest time by a race driver in first practice for Sunday's European Grand Prix.

The seven-times world champion delighted his home crowd at a sunbathed Nuerburgring by lapping in one minute 32.578 seconds, a time only McLaren's Austrian test driver Alex Wurz was able to better.

The German, who won from pole here last year, has struggled this season and is hoping the return to a single qualifying session this weekend will help him move up the grid to a position where he can make the most of his car's undoubted pace.

Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta was third fastest ahead of Schumacher's Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello with Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who has won the last two races, fifth fastest for McLaren.

Spain's championship leader Fernando Alonso went out for just two laps in the first of two sessions on Friday, preserving the engine in his Renault for Saturday's qualifying session and Sunday's race.

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