Raikkonen leaves Schumacher trailing

Kimi Raikkonen left Michael Schumacher trailing by more than a second today as McLaren led the field in free practice for Sunday…

Kimi Raikkonen left Michael Schumacher trailing by more than a second today as McLaren led the field in free practice for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The young Finn, preparing for only his second race as a McLaren driver after a debut season with Sauber, roared around Sepang circuit in sweltering heat and a highly impressive one minute, 37.399 seconds.

Team-mate David Coulthard, whose car caught fire, was second quickest in 1:38.038 as the Michelin-shod team turned the tables on Ferrari.

Ferrari four-times world champion Schumacher, who has been on pole at every Malaysian Grand Prix since the circuit was first used in 1999, was third fastest in 1:38.490.

READ MORE

Williams' Ralf Schumacher was fourth fastest, in 1:38.650, and Finn Mika Salo was a surprising fifth quickest for newcomers Toyota in 1:39.066 - ahead of Williams' Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello, who had been second quickest, halted on the circuit with 14 minutes to go and was only seventh fastest.