Felipe Massa ended the first day of free practice for the eighth round of the world championship with the sixth fastest time, while Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team-mate Michael Schumacher was eighth. Both the Brazilian and the German had off-track excursions today, as did many of their fellow drivers. Ironically, it is probably down to the extremely hot and dry weather in England at the moment that the track surface has been so dirty and slippery on this first day of the British Grand Prix weekend. Michael also felt that wind, often a problem on this very open former airfield, had played a part in catching out the cars. Nevertheless, both men declared themselves confident regarding the outcome of the next two days. Quickest, and the only man to get under the 1m 22 seconds barrier was Robert Kubica, the Williams Friday-only driver. Second fastest and first "race" driver was Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella, who has always liked this track. Third and fourth places went to two more Friday men; the Williams of Alex Wurz and the Honda of Anthony Davidson. In fifth spot was Jarno Trulli in the Toyota. Splitting the two Ferrari men in seventh place was world champion Fernando Alonso in the Renault.

Jean Todt: "It's always special to return to Silverstone, where we have not run since last year's British Grand Prix. This is one of Formula 1's historic circuits and the home track for almost all our adversaries. Today, the track was not yet at its best, but we still managed to work through all our programme. We worked on defining set-up and on the comparison of the two types of Bridgestone tyre at our disposal. They came here well prepared. Now we must study the data we have acquired and then try and improve in all areas for the rest of the weekend. But from what we could see in these two hours of free practice, the situation seems reasonably good."

Felipe Massa: "We worked mainly on comparing the two available types of Bridgestone tyre. Unfortunately, the track was very dirty and so it was quite tough to find the right car balance immediately, but that was the same for everyone. Now we must analyse our data to be as well prepared as possible for the rest of the weekend."
 

Michael Schumacher: "It's a bit difficult to judge the situation after these two hours of free practice: tyres, fuel levels and work schedules are all different and they all have a bearing on performance. What we can say is that it is very tricky as the track is still very slippery. That's why so many, me included, went off track. We have to look carefully at the data to understand the situation, taking into account the wind, which also played its part today. There is no reason why we should not be competitive here too. Last week's Barcelona test was very encouraging, so we can be confident in our ability to fight for the win."

Ross Brawn: "The two hours turned out to be pretty complicated, starting with a car that was not perfectly balanced. However, from what we could see on the television, it seemed everyone suffered a bit. Then, bit by bit as the track improved, the balance of the car also got better and by the end the situation was quite good. Now, using the data, we have to work out which direction to go in for the next two days, given that the track will change a lot. The team and drivers worked intelligently, without losing the thread when things did not seem to be going the right way. Given that we have not run at all at this circuit this year, we can count ourselves satisfied with what we have seen today."

Free practice - First session: Michael Schumacher: 5th 1.22.925 3 laps chassis 254; Felipe Massa: 8th 1.23.816 4 laps chassis 250; Temperatures: air 23/24°C, track 32/33°C

Free practice - Second session: Felipe Massa: 6th 1.22.476 19 laps chassis 250; Michael Schumacher: 8th 1.22.825 14 laps chassis 254; Temperatures: air 26°C, track 36/38°C