Hakkinen heads first session in France

Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard sat out most of the first free practice session for Sunday's French Grand Prix, the two drivers preferring to save their car and tyres until the track was less dusty before attempting to set a quick lap time. Hakkinen ran just 5 laps and took the fastest time of the morning two tenth's faster than his team-mate who stopped after 4 laps with a suspected pneumatic valve leak. The team set about changing the engine as a precautionary measure.

Ferrari take it easy

Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine did not even bother to run the first practice session for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team. After a successful test last week , they decided to save their tyres for this afternoon.

Zanardi third fastest for Williams

Although Alex Zanardi was delighted with his third fastest time f the session he was cautious about predicting the rest of his weekend. "I set my time when the track was quicker in the cooler temperatures. I am not getting over excited about the time, but I will be if I am still there on Saturday afternoon," he said. Ralf Schumacher was also heading for a quick time , but was baulked on his fastest lap and ended up only tenth quickest. Williams are not running the new parts they tried in testing, their ca rs "standard" with the new parts now scheduled for Silverstone.

Frentzen back on the pace

Heinz Harald Frentzen was back on the pace following his 175 kph crash in Canada which kept him from testing here last week. Still stiff in his right shoulder and knee, he had no problems setting the fourth fastest time for Jordan after eliminating some e arly oversteer with his car. Damon Hill was back in eighth place, te Englishman complaining of understeer, poor traction and no balance from his Jordan.

Stewart sixth and seventh

The Stewart team placed sixth and seventh, Barrichello running just 4 laps and Herbert ninth in order to save tyres. They had found a good set-up for their cars at the previous week's test.

In brief...

A bad morning for Sauber-Petronas. Pedro Diniz stopped after half a lap because of a fuel pressure problem. Jean Alesi spun in the last chicane and hit the barrier hard, the car bouncing back and stopping upside down. "It was my fault ,' said Alesi who climbed out unhurt. His car was badly damaged though with damage to the roll bar and right side suspension.

Pos  Driver        Team                 Time                   
 1.  Hakkinen      Mclaren Mercedes     1:18.251   195.525 kmph
 2.  Coulthard     Mclaren Mercedes     1:18.468   + 0.217     
 3.  Zanardi       Williams Supertec    1:18.746   + 0.495     
 4.  Frentzen      Jordan Mugen-Honda   1:18.779   + 0.528     
 5.  Alesi         Sauber Petronas      1:18.908   + 0.657     
 6.  Barrichello   Stewart Ford         1:18.950   + 0.699     
 7.  Herbert       Stewart Ford         1:19.260   + 1.009     
 8.  Hill          Jordan Mugen-Honda   1:19.591   + 1.340     
 9.  Fisichella    Benetton Playlife    1:19.677   + 1.426     
10.  R.Schumacher  Williams Supertec    1:19.720   + 1.469     
11.  Villeneuve    BAR Supertec         1:20.155   + 1.904     
12.  Trulli        Prost Peugeot        1:20.251   + 2.000     
13.  Panis         Prost Peugeot        1:20.285   + 2.034     
14.  Wurz          Benetton Playlife    1:20.610   + 2.359     
15.  Zonta         BAR Supertec         1:20.681   + 2.430     
16.  Takagi        Arrows TWR           1:21.418   + 3.167     
17.  Badoer        Minardi Ford         1:21.506   + 3.255     
18.  de la Rosa    Arrows TWR           1:21.969   + 3.718     
19.  Gene          Minardi Ford         1:22.444   + 4.193     

All timing unofficial

* Both Ferrari drivers and Sauber's Pedro Diniz did not do any timed lap