Fisichella records 15th quickest time

Hockenheim, Germany, Jul 18 (UNI) Marred by unseasonal rain at the central track, the Force India Formula One Team managed to bring out a productive day with Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella consistently setting times just over a second from the top five.

As per the usual practice, the team worked through a structured programme of tyre comparisons, set-up work and aero developments, including running the new wheel spinners, that very much followed on from the test at the same circuit last week.

The opening 90-minute session started wet, allowing both drivers opportunity to evaluate wet weather set-ups and tyres. While the clouds remained, the rain eased off around 30 minutes from the end and drivers were able to switch to dry tyres.

Sutil set a series of fastest laps, and ultimately finished the session in 18th position. Giancarlo also featured well in the session, recording the 15th quickest time, just over one second from the top five.

In the dry second practice both drivers focussed on longer runs.

Sutil and Fisichella were closely matched, although both of their quickest laps were hampered; Adrian's by a mechanical problem, and Giancarlo's by traffic.

''It was a fairly difficult day to be honest as the grip level was very low and we expected better track conditions. The set-up we had at the test last week was quite good, but today we weren't able to replicate it with the way the track was,'' Sutil said.

He added that at times the car had oversteer and then understeer which made it very difficult to drive for him.

Meanwhile, Fisichella said, ''Today was OK, although the grip was not as good as we had last week at the test and obviously there was some rain this morning that made it even worse.'' ''We still have to work on the balance for tomorrow as it was quite inconsistent and at times it was difficult to push, but there's still another practice session tomorrow,'' he added.

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