Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher clocked the fastest time during Friday morning’s practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The German legend went round the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 1 minute 54.333 seconds on a dry track at the beginning of the session before the rain set in, just 0.5 seconds quicker then his Mercedes team-mate and fellow German Nico Rosberg.
As if to acknowledge the 42-year-old and seven-times champion’s achievements, the heavens opened minutes afterward and prevented any following driver from beating his time.
Drivers were therefore forced to drive with extra care and caution and although the track began to dry towards the end of the session, never came close to matching Schumacher’s time.
McLaren’s Jenson Button was third fastest with a time of two minutes 02.740 followed by championship leader German Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.
Button’s teammate and fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton was fifth quickest ahead of German Adrian Sutil of Force India.
Brazilians Felipe Messa of Ferrari and Williams driver Rubens Barrichello were seventh and eighth quickest respectively ahead of Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari of Toro Rosso and Japanese Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber who completed the top ten.
The session also saw a frustrated Bruno Senna spin off at turn nine on his debut for Renault as did Briton Paul di Resta of Force India.
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