Summary:

Schumacher was flying on the free practice day at Imola (Italy) today, nobody could come close to his 1:28.831. Barrichello was second with 1:29.446, followed by Villeneuve with 1:29.921.

Panis was extremely fast in his Ligier with his fifth place time of 1:30.150.

Notes:

Salo spins but could continue.

Coulthard braked too late and went through the grass.

Irvine spins his Ferrari, Lamy could just avoid colliding with Irvine. Katayama blew his Yamaha engine. The session was then stopped with 26 minutes still on the clock.

Schumacher went off with his Ferrari ending his session in the gravel trap.

A Forti hit Hill's right rear tyre, Hill could continue.

Rosset went through the gravel.

Top six

1. Schumacher
2. Barrichello
3. Villeneuve
4. Hakkinen
5. Panis
6. Hill