Schumacher, Barrichello Eclipse Lap Record at Australian Grand Prix Practice Session

Topics:  Australian Grand Prix

VOA Sports
March 5, 2004

World champion Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany and Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil both eclipsed the lap record in practice sessions Friday ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Schumacher and Barrichello flew around the circuit at Albert Park to finish their second practice run of the day with times nearly one-tenth of one second apart.

Driving the new generation F-2004 -- Ferrari's 50th Formula One racing car -- Schumacher clocked in at 1:24.718 minutes (225.345 kph). He and Barrichello had the fastest times ever recorded on the 5.3 kilometer circuit.

The Ferrari teammates' times were a full second faster than the rest of the drivers, despite Formula One rule changes aimed at curbing Ferrari's dominance of the sport.

Schumacher is going for his fifth straight Formula One world championship. The Australian Grand Prix is Sunday in Melbourne.