Schumi up to speed for German GP

Hockenheim: Ferrari's Michael Schumacher set the scene for a triumphant homecoming with a strong showing in Friday's German Grand Prix free practice.

The seven times world champion, who sat out morning practice, ended the day as the fastest race driver on the Hockenheim circuit.

BMW Sauber's Polish test driver Robert Kubica topped the timesheets with a one minute 16.225 second lap in the afternoon but Schumacher was second quickest in that session with a time 0.277 seconds slower.

"At the moment, the situation seems pretty good," said Schumacher. "But we have to bear in mind that other teams have carried out different work programmes in terms of tyres today, which also explains the difference in the times."

The German is chasing a hat-trick of victories, after winning in the United States and France, to reduce Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso's 17-point overall lead with six races remaining after Hockenheim.

Renault's Alonso had a low-key day, completing 13 laps in total and setting the seventh fastest time in the morning and 15th in the afternoon when rain showers disrupted the session.

"The conditions were difficult for the drivers," said Renault's director of engineering Pat Symonds. "Even once the midday rain had disappeared, the track was left in an unusual condition and we didn't seem to find a clear bit of it for the drivers at any point."

Williams's Austrian reserve driver Alexander Wurz was quickest in the morning in 1:16.349 seconds. Neither he, Kubica nor any of the unsung 'Friday testers' will race on Sunday.

Williams's German rookie Nico Rosberg made a mistake and skidded off in the morning, missing the second session as mechanics repaired the car.

Midland's Dutch driver Christian Albers pulled over with smoke pouring from the Toyota engine.

The day started with a flurry of technical advisories, with champions Renault challenging and overturning a ban by the governing body on a 'mass damper' device installed in the nose of their car.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) had outlawed such dampers, used by at least seven of the 11 teams, after the last race amid suspicions they were helping to improve the aerodynamic performance of the cars.

However Renault submitted their spare car for scrutiny with the component still installed. The race stewards subsequently ruled that it was permissible, a move that could boost Alonso's chances of ending Schumacher's winning run.

Super Aguri ran their new car for the first time at a grand prix weekend with Japan's Sakon Yamamoto replacing France's Franck Montagny in Sunday's race line-up.