Davidson sets the pace in Shanghai
Anthony Davidson put a disappointing week behind him by going quickest in the first practice session at the new £200million Shanghai International Circuit.
On a day when seven times world champion Michael Schumacher was reduced to pushing his Ferrari into the pits to finish 15th after his car stopped with two minutes left, BAR test driver Davidson set the standard for Sunday's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.
Davidson suffered a setback this week when Jaguar pulled out of Formula One, ending the young Englishman's hopes of a race seat with them next season.
But he got back to business with a lap of 1min 35.369sec to put the regular race drivers in the shade.
Ralf Schumacher set an impressive time on his first weekend back since suffering spinal fractures at Indianapolis in June. He was only
0.086sec down on Davidson in second place for Williams. His team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, was third while Jenson Button was sixth for BAR.
Jacques Villeneuve waited 25 minutes before finally venturing out on track in a Renault for the first time in a grand prix weekend.
After a year away from the sport, the Canadian took it steady early on and was some way off Davidson's pace.
