MOTOR SPORT/San Marino Grand Prix: Ayrton Senna's remarkable record of 65 career pole positions could succumb this afternoon to Michael Schumacher's relentless advance into the history books. If the Ferrari driver takes pole this afternoon it will be the 66th time he has qualified at the front of a grand prix pack and Senna's last remaining record could fall at the track where the Brazilian died 12 years ago.
Yesterday Schumacher set the fastest time in the first free practice sessions, 0.2 seconds clear of Fernando Alonso's Renault after a performance that suggested Bridgestone had made considerable progress in developing new tyre compounds offering better grip and consistency.
"We are happy with the work done today, which has left me in a positive mood," Schumacher said. "We have made progress in various areas and, even if they are only minor things, they have produced a good step forward. The package is working better."
Alonso was guardedly optimistic about his prospects.
"As usual on the Friday, grip levels were quite bad," he said. "That made the car inconsistent to drive and we had to begin working on the set-up to try and improve things. We are not there yet as we are suffering from too much understeer but I think we are quick, and times on the first day don't mean too much."
Third fastest was the Williams test driver Alex Wurz ahead of his BMW Sauber opposite number, Robert Kubica, and Honda's third driver, Anthony Davidson. Jenson Button wound up 11th in the second session, just ahead of Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren-Mercedes and the other Honda of Rubens Barrichello.
Meanwhile, David Richards's Prodrive operation is expected to be named as the new 12th F1 team to be accepted by the FIA as a competitor for the 2008 world championship next Friday.
The dispute over Formula One's future is nearing a resolution after top-level talks at Imola yesterday.
The Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association of Mercedes, BMW, Renault, Toyota and Honda have stalled on signing a new commercial deal with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. But Renault team principal Flavio Briatore held negotiations with Ecclestone amid reports a deal could even be reached.
Guardian Service
