Round 12 of the FIA Formula One World Championship got underway today at the 4.57km Hockenheim circuit with Bridgestone's teams working hard to evaluate their choices for the forthcoming weekend. Bridgestone has brought a total of eight, of a possible ten specifications, to the German circuit. First qualifying saw current championship leader Michael Schumacher go out first on the track, setting a time of 1m15.456 in front of his home crowds. Teammate Rubens Barrichello, who lies in overall fifth place in the championship, however, was able to better his time by 0.057seconds. The pair was eighth and ninth fastest whilst fellow Bridgestone runner, Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda's Jenson Button, was third fastest of the Bridgestone drivers.

This afternoon also saw a change of drivers in the Formula One paddock with Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa making his Formula One race weekend debut in the European Minardi Cosworth seat formerly occupied by Justin Wilson, who has now moved on to Jaguar Racing.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport, said: “Obviously there's some work to do yet for this weekend but the track was still quite green this afternoon. There is certainly some improvement in performance yet to come which I'm sure we'll find over the remaining practice sessions.”

The Teams
Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, said: “We had good consistency in this morning's practice session and although we weren't quick enough this afternoon, I think we'll see the consistency coming through in the race.”