David Coulthard suffered a morning of mixed fortunes as Rubens Barrichello set the pace in opening practice for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix in Imola today.
The Scot raced to the top of the time-sheets midway through the session as he looked to maintain the momentum created by his fine victory in Brazil two weeks ago.
But the 30-year-old then spun into the gravel trap as he was caught out at a tight right-handed corner of the Italian track, which was still drying out after several days of rain.
Coulthard ended up facing backwards and had to be pushed off by marshals before heading back to the McLaren Mercedes garage.
The Monaco-based racer, second in the championship just six points behind Michael Schumacher, dropped down the standings and eventually finished fourth fastest.
Barrichello went quickest late in the session, benefiting from the best of the conditions as he finished 1.4 seconds quicker than Ferrari team-mate Schumacher - who has won this race for the past two years.
Finland's Mika Hakkinen, badly needing a victory to get into the title hunt, was third fastest but 1.9secs off Barrichello's deceptive time with Coulthard just fractions further adrift. -PA-