After being pipped by BAR's British test driver Anthony Davidson in the morning, the six-times world champion blasted back on a sweltering afternoon at Hockenheim with a lap of one minute 15.001 seconds.

The German can take a record-equalling 11th win in 12 races on Sunday while also helping Ferrari secure their sixth successive Formula One constructors' title.

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, last year's overall championship runner-up, was the second quickest man on the track to confirm McLaren's considerable progress after their nightmare start to the season.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, last year's runaway winner from pole position in Germany, was third on the timesheets ahead of BAR's Jenson Button and Williams' Brazilian stand-in Antonio Pizzonia.

Pizzonia is making his comeback as a replacement for injured German Ralf Schumacher after being dropped by Jaguar last year.

Davidson, who had followed up BAR's morning announcement of a long-term deal with engine partner Honda with the quickest lap of 1:15.756 in the first session, was sixth.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who will need to finish high in the points on Sunday if Ferrari are to score 13 more than Renault and clinch the title, was a distant ninth.

Mark Webber, Pizzonia's former Jaguar team mate, was 13th fastest after failing to set a time in the morning as mechanics worked on his car.

Toyota's heavily revised car failed to stand out on its first appearance at a race weekend, with Brazilian Cristiano da Matta 18th and France's Olivier Panis 19th fastest in the second session.