Barrichello outpaces Schumacher in downpour

Ferrari restored a sense of normality to Formula One here yesterday, dominating the first practice sessions for tomorrow's British Grand Prix. While Arrows sat out proceedings, anxiously awaiting developments in their endeavours to stay in business, the rest could only follow Ferrari round the rain-swept plains of this Northamptonshire circuit.

Rubens Barrichello followed up his victory at the Nürburgring by again heading his team-mate, Michael Schumacher, in another ominous demonstration of Ferrari's superiority. They were a second-and-a-half clear of their closest challenger, Giancarlo Fisichella in a Jordan.

Schumacher, leading the championship by 46 points, has won only once in 10 appearances here, for a variety of reasons. He was disqualified in 1994, punted off by Damon Hill in 1995 and broke his leg in 1999.

All too frequently, however, his car has not been good enough. Even in the last two year's races, on his way to championship success, the German has been unable to compete with McLaren. This time optimism in the Italian camp is high. The car and its Bridgestone tyres appear better suited to the configuration of the track and, barring mechanical problems, Schumacher ought to advance a step nearer a record equalling fifth title.

Schumacher, who spun in the morning and sat watching for the rest of the session under a marshal's umbrella said: "I think we are in better shape this time. Last year we weren't quick here but Rubens showed in a test that we are very strong. I don't think there is any reason why I have not had more wins here. Even in Germany I don't have a good record. There is no special wish to win here, but we do have a lot of fans and we know what the expectations are."

Schumacher can afford to play the percentage game in the second half of the season, but he is intent on racking up wins. He has six from nine races this season and could surpass the record of nine victories, which he shares with Nigel Mansell. He said: "My style is to go for the win. It is not my way to defend my lead. But sometimes you have to be sensible and accept second place, as I did at Monaco.''

The only issue here, as in the infamous Austrian Grand Prix and the recent Grand Prix of Europe, may be whether he crosses the line in front of Barrichello. The Brazilian is in perhaps the best form of his career and has a wealth of experience on this circuit.

Ross Brawn, Ferrari's technical director, indicated that if his drivers are again out on their own in the closing stages of tomorrow's race, he will repeat the instruction he gave them at the Nürburgring, to hold station.

He said: "We have no pre-determined orders, it's just that we don't want our drivers knocking each other off. We would look very silly with two cars in the gravel. So it will be the same instruction if we are in the same situation.

"We're very pleased with Rubens' performances this year, which is why we were happy to extend his contract. It is good for both drivers that he is closer to Michael and they can compare information. It lifts both of them."

As a Briton with an Italian team, Brawn is keen to beat the British teams in their own backyard. "It adds a bit more edge to it for me,'' he said. "It is the same feeling the British teams get if they beat us at Monza. I'd like to put one over on them and we are looking stronger this year. What we have to do is improve our qualifying.''

Williams's Juan Pablo Montoya has claimed pole position in the last three qualifying sessions, only to leave the grands prix empty-handed. The Colombian was fourth fastest following an engine failure. Ralf Schumacher, second in the championship, was 11th in the other Williams.

David Coulthard, Britain's in-form driver of late, was 12th in a McLaren. Jenson Button was the home country's best-placed driver, in ninth position, for Renault. Eddie Irvine (Jaguar) was 15th and Allan McNish 19th and last of yesterday's runners in a Toyota. His team-mate, Mika Salo, missed the session because of a stomach bug.

BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Silverstone) Times after second free practice : 1 R Barrichello (Br) Ferrari 1min 31.457sec; 2 M Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:31.881; 3 G Fisichella (It) Jordan-Honda 1:33.434; 4 J P Montoya (Col) Williams-BMW 1:33.842; 5 T Sato (Japan) Jordan-Honda 1:33.901; 6 J Villeneuve (Can) BAR-Honda 1:34.373; 7 K Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:34.473; 8 F Massa (Br) Sauber-Petronas 1:34.676; 9 J Button (GB) Renault 1:34.744; 10 N Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber-Petronas 1:34.752; 11 R Schumacher (Ger) Williams-BMW 1:34.766; 12 D Coulthard (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.170; 13 P de la Rosa (Sp) Jaguar 1:35.324; 14 O Panis (Fr) BAR-Honda 1:35.534; 15 E Irvine (GB) Jaguar 1:35.682; 16 J Trulli (It) Renault 1:36.244; 17 M Webber (Aus) Minardi-Asiatech 1:37.835; 18 A Yoong (Malay) Minardi-Asiatech 1:37.997; 19 A McNish (GB) Toyota 1:38.477.