MELBOURNE, Australia, March 1: Four-times world drivers’ champion Michael Schumacher was fastest in last year’s Ferrari car in opening practice Friday for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Schumacher posted a best lap time of one minute 28.804 seconds for the one-hour session on a rain-affected track.

Ferrari have elected to run last year’s championship car in the opening races of this season after lack of adequate testing prevented them from bringing their 2002 car to Melbourne.

Schumacher, bidding for a record-equalling five world championships this season, got in 14 laps on the street circuit and was fastest ahead of Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

The Brazilian was 0.363 seconds slower in 1:29.167 ahead of Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella (1:31.693) and Williams driver Ralf Schumacher (1:31.723).

Williams other driver Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who was among the fastest in winter testing ahead of the new season, was 10th fastest in the session with 1:32.903 of his 12 laps.—AFP