Alonso ahead of Schumacher in French practice

By Elmar Dreher Jul 14, 2006, 16:38 GMT

Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of the Renault F1 team in action during the first practice session at the Magny Cours race track near Nevers in France, Friday 14 July 2006. The French Grand Prix will be held on 16 July 2006. EPA/REGIS DUVIGNAU - POOL

Magny-Cours, France - World championship leader Fernando Alonso beat Michael Schumacher by almost half a second in Friday practice for the French Formula One Grand Prix.

In what is the home Grand Prix for his Renault team and tyre makers Michelin, Alonso clocked 1 minute 17.498 minutes for the 4.411-kilometres lap.

Team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella posted a time of 1:17.916 while Ferrari star Schumacher followed with 1:17.938 in a session led by BMW test driver Robert Kubica (1:16.902) who is only eligible for Friday practice.

Renault's strength is a first indication that they are ready to rebound from the poor showing at the last race in Indianapolis, where Schumacher and Felipe Massa scored a Ferrari one-two ahead of Fisichella while Alonso finished a season-worst fifth.

Alonso leads the title race with 88 points to Schumacher's 69 after 10 of 18 races.

Both, Alonso and Schumacher, were happy with their performance with modified cars compared to the Indianapolis race two weeks ago.

'I think we now have a clear picture,' said Alonso. 'The modified engine is a good step forward and it ran without any problems. That is very encouraging. Things are looking good.'

Schumacher did not want to comment on the Renault but also said that 'things are going quite well. It is a step forward.'

Pedro de la Rosa, meanwhile, clocked 1 minute 19.809 seconds as the new McLaren team-mate of Kimi Raikkonen.

De la Rosa was promoted from test driver after Mclaren ended the contract of Juan Pablo Montoya after the Colombian announced a 2007 move to NASCAR racing in the US.

The qualifying session is set for Saturday and the 70-lap race is on Sunday.