Barrichello quickest
In mixed dry and damp conditions it was Rubens Barrichello who took the quickest time for the Stewart-Ford team in the final free practice session before this afternoon's qualifying practice for the French Grand Prix. He is hoping the weather will remain the same this afternoon.
His team-mate Johnny Herbert was back in 11th position running race set-ups during the session.
McLaren second and third
David Coulthard pipped his McLaren team-mate Mika Hakkinen to third place on the time sheets after a trouble free session, both drivers running 21 laps this morning. Hakkinen also had no problems throughout the session, while Coulthard proved to be the qu ickest driver when the track was wet in the second half of the session.
Ralf Schumacher well up for Williams
It was the turn of Ralf Schumacher to star for the Williams team this morning, Ralf setting the fourth fastest time of the session ahead of the two Ferraris despite a couple of harmless offs onto the grass and gravel trap. Alex Zanardi , who was well up y esterday, slipped back to ninth place despite running 27 laps. However, he was delighted with the handling of his car and claimed he had made good progress with the car.
Irvine heads Schumacher for fifth place
Despite a harmless spin at the final chicane Eddie Irvine set the fastest time of the two Marlboro Ferraris, Michael Schumacher taking sixth place just behind him. Both cars were running the revised rear bodywork and the 048B qualifying engine this mornin g, both drivers running yesterday's tyres in order to save the others for qualifying and the race. Schumacher had another brief trip through a gravel trap and went to the pits to have his car checked and the gravel cleaned out of the radiators.
Frentzen happy, Hill happier
"We still have more time to come from the car , although it is now pretty well balanced for the conditions," said Heinz Harald Frentzen who was seventh quickest. Damon Hill was happier with the handling of his car than he was yesterday, although he claime d it was still very hard to find the right set-up for the changing conditions.
In brief...
After a lot of changes to their cars overnight, the BAR drivers were happier today, Zonta setting tenth quickest time , Villeneuve in 14th place. Jean Alesi ended up walking back after he spun and then tried to select first gear with too many r evs on te engine which promptly broke the gearbox. Giancarlo Fisichella had a harmless spin in the Benetton trying to avoid a Jordan at the hairpin. He was happier with his car, but admitted that it was going to be very tough to make a place in the top 10 in qualifying. Both Arrows drivers continued to complain of a lack of grip as did both Prost drivers who also complained of a lack of traction.
Saturday Free Practice - Accumulated Times
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:17.232 198.104 kmph
2. Coulthard Mclaren Mercedes 1:17.283 + 0.051
3. Hakkinen Mclaren Mercedes 1:17.386 + 0.154
4. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:17.496 + 0.264
5. Irvine Ferrari 1:17.520 + 0.288
6. M.Schumacher Ferrari 1:17.689 + 0.457
7. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:18.030 + 0.798
8. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:18.170 + 0.938
9. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:18.255 + 1.023
10. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:18.484 + 1.252
11. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:18.516 + 1.284
12. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:18.595 + 1.363
13. Fisichella Benetton Playlife 1:18.671 + 1.439
14. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:18.777 + 1.545
15. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:18.887 + 1.655
16. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:19.075 + 1.843
17. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:19.171 + 1.939
18. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:19.214 + 1.982
19. Wurz Benetton Playlife 1:19.375 + 2.143
20. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:19.403 + 2.171
21. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:20.388 + 3.156
22. Gene Minardi Ford 1:20.681 + 3.449
All timing unofficial