F1: Kovalainen Slides To Top Of First Practice

Formula 1

F1: Kovalainen Slides To Top Of First Practice

Heikki Kovalainen led the first practice at Suzuka Friday, a session that started under heavy skies and was run under wet conditions...

SPEED Staff | Posted October 01, 2009 Suzuka (JPN)

Heikki Kovalainen led the first practice at Suzuka Friday nipping Kazuki Nakajima on the final lap of the session. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Heikki Kovalainen led the first practice at Suzuka Friday, a session that started under heavy skies and was run under wet conditions.

Kovalainen’s time of 140.356 came on a final flying lap in his McLaren as time expired. Kazuki Nakajima brought cheers from his home country fans as he posted the second fastest time.

Force India’s Adrian Sutil was third in the session, Giancarlo Fisichella was fourth in the Ferrari with Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Buemi rounding out the top five. Lewis Hamilton in the second McLaren was sixth. Fernando Alonso was seventh, Kimi Raikkonen eighth, Rubens Barrichello ninth and Nico Rosberg tenth.

The morning dawned under cloudy, misty conditions and although the fog lifted and the rain stopped, the track remained damp and there were still several spots on the circuit that remained wet throughout the 90-minute session.

Most drivers waited several minutes to begin laps, as the track was still very wet when the session started. When drivers did start leaving garage area they tiptoed around the track for a few laps before coming up to speed. During the session despite drying conditions several drivers made off track excursions, though no incidents causing any heavy damage were reported.

The forecast for Sunday does not call for rain.

The major news of the morning was the absence of Timo Glock who was reported to be running a high fever and "has been advised to rest by the team doctor" with a "very heavy cold and fever".

Reserve driver and Japanese local Kamui Kobayashi, 23, replaced him, but Toyota said Glock is scheduled to return to the cockpit for Saturday’s qualifying and the race.

Kobayashi posted 19th fastest time.

FIRST PRACTICE TIMES

Pos No Driver Team Time/Retired Gap Laps

1 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:40.356 24
2 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:40.648 0.292 18
3 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:40.806 0.450 14
4 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:40.985 0.629 27
5 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:41.421 1.065 26
6 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:41.443 1.087
7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:41.532 1.176
8 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:41.577 1.221
9 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:41.821 1.465
10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:42.188 1.832
11 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:42.332 1.976
12 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:42.475 2.119
13 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:42.657 2.301
14 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:42.667 2.311
15 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:42.833 2.477
16 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:42.977 2.621
17 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:43.218 2.862
18 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:43.318 2.962
19 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 1:43.407 3.051
20 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:43.572 3.216

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