Schumacher tops Saturday practise

Jun 10, 2006, 12:21 GMT

German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Ferrari in action during the practice session at the Silverstone track in England on Saturday, 10 June 2006. The British Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, 11 June. Schumacher clocked the fastest time. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Silverstone - Michael Schumacher posted the fastest time on Saturday in the third and final practise session for the British Formula One Grand Prix, with championship leader Fernando Alonso following in fifth place.

Schumacher, the record seven-time world champion from the Ferrari team, clocked 1 minute 20.919 seconds on the 5.141-kilometres course.

Fellow-German BMW driver Nick Heidfeld was second in 1:21.361 and Schumacher's team-mate Felipe Massa posted 1:21.633.

Alonso followed in fifth place in a Renault with a time of 1:21.870 minutes.

Alonso, who leads the 2006 standings with 64 points from Schumacher (43), is coming off first career wins in Spain and Monaco and wants to get his first win at Silverstone as well after placing second there last year.

Schumacher aims to rebound from the Monaco shame of allegedly deliberately stopping his car late in Monaco qualifying, an incident for which he was sanctioned by moving from first to last place on the grid.

The three qualifying rounds were scheduled for later Saturday and the race is Sunday.