Davidson leads Schumacher in first Indianapolis practice

Jun 30, 2006, 17:26 GMT

Indianapolis - Test driver Anthony Davidson led from former world champion Michael Schumacher on Friday as practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix got underway.

Davidson posted 1 minute 12.083 minutes in a Honda at the famous American speedway, with Schumacher on 1:12.458 minutes in a Ferrari and BMW test driver Robert Kubica third in 1:13.008.

Schumacher had a brief scary moment in the session when he spun out into the gravel.

Not competing, among others, in the morning session were world champion Fernando Alonso and his Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella. They were due to enter the frame in the afternoon session.

None of the teams on Michelin tyres competing in the morning experienced tyre problems. Last year all seven Michelin teams did not compete in the race after the French team issued a safety warning following several accidents. The farcical six-car race was won by Schumacher.

Alonso leads the championship with 84 points from nine of 18 season races, with Schumacher a distant second on 59 points. Alonso has won the last four races for a season tally of six.

Another practice and qualifying is set for Saturday and the 73-lap race on the 4.192-kilometre course for 306.016 km is on Sunday.