Test drivers dominate Canada practice ahead of Schumacher

Jun 23, 2006, 17:10 GMT

Montreal - Michael Schumacher was the fastest driver behind a trio of test drivers in the absence of world champion Fernando Alonso in the first practice session on Friday for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion Schumacher clocked 1 minute 18.994 seconds on the 4.361-kilometres Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in his Ferrari.

Robert Kubica led the session in a BMW in 1:16.390 ahead of Honda's Anthony Davidson (1:18.306) and Alexander Wurz of Williams (1:18.941). The test drivers are only eligible for Friday's two practice rounds.

The Renault star Alonso and his team-mate Giancarlo Fischella gave the first session a miss like they always do. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya also stayed in the pits.

Alonso leads the standings with 74 from eight of 18 races from Schumacher (51) and McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen (32), who won last year's edition of the race.

Alonso is bidding for his first career win in Montreal, while Schumacher could get a historic eighth triumph at one race. Raikkonen, meanwhile, won the 2005 edition in Montreal.

The second practice session was set for later Friday. The final training round and qualifying are Saturday and the 70-lap race over 305.270 kilometres on Sunday.