Fisichella fastest in morning warm-up

(24-Jul-98) - Giancarlo Fisichella was a surprise last minute quickest in
the first free practice session for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix, a race
that could be crucial in this year's championship battle. The Benettons of
Fisichella and his Austrian team mate Alexander Wurz were off the pace for
much of the session, but both came good in the final few minutes to figure
strongly in the battle for fastest times.

Michael Schumacher, who played it cool for much of the session by lounging
on the pitwall, was second fastest, but was one of the few drivers to spin
- skating into the gravel at the first corner. His Ferrari team mate, Eddie
Irvine, had a coming together with Jos Verstappen at Remus Kurve that
earned him a reprimand from the stewards.

The McLaren's were surprisingly off the pace, with Mika Hakkinen the more
disappointing of the two. The Finn's first lap was one second off team mate
David Coulthard's pace, and he was never able to match the Scot, a
hydraulic leak ending his day's running.

--- Msged/386 4.20 beta 4