Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello had untroubled first free practice sessions here at the Hungaroring today, dominating the timing sheets in track conditions which progressively improved in the torrid conditions.

Technical: Revised aerodynamic high downforce set-up for this race, an evolution of the Monte Carlo configuration.

Sporting: Both drivers reported that the track was as slippery as usual for the first day, Michael feeling that his car's set-up was quite good if not yet perfect. He admitted to being concerned over the state of the high kerb over which Coulthard damaged his McLaren. Both drivers had one harmless spin apiece.

Quotes: Schumacher: "I am quite happy, but we really do need to find a solution for that kerb which has been changed for this year's race."

Technical: Revised high downforce configuration with secondary wing mounted at tail of engine cover over the gearbox.

Sporting: In the first session, Coulthard kerbed his MP4/16 heavily over the serrated kerb on the ess-bend just prior to the final hairpin, punching the undertray up into the bottom of the monocoque which suffered damage serious enough to prevent him from running for the balance of the day. The car will be rebuilt round a new monocoque for Saturday while the damaged car will be repaired as a back-up. Hakkinen struggled for balance initially on the dusty track surface, but progressively improved as rubber went down.

Quotes: Ron Dennis: "We are usually advised before a race about any changes to the circuit, but we heard nothing this time. I know it's the same for everyone, but I think that kerb should be taken out for tomorrow."

Technical: New secondary rear wing over the gearbox as part of high downforce configuration and using engine cooling "chimneys" for the first time since Malaysia.

Sporting: Ralf Schumacher pretty satisfied, getting through his scheduled programme of laps and reporting that the car felt quite well balanced. Montoya frustrated by poor set-up during the morning, then improved set-up for afternoon after which it felt better despite two spins.

Quotes: Montoya: "It was all very frustrating during the morning, but we later turned it in the right direction and it felt better."

Technical: Evolution of Monaco high downforce package with new rear wing and engine cover, the latter only available for Irvine today but scheduled to be fitted to both cars tomorrow.

Sporting: Irvine had a trouble-free run on this circuit where the teams have high hopes for a good result, but Pedro de la Rosa admitted that it was difficult to try and keep close to Irvine on this type of circuit. The Spaniard also suffered with a fuel pressure problem.

Quotes: Niki Lauda: "I think we have a good baseline for tomorrow and I'm sure Pedro will benefit from having the revised engine cover tomorrow."

Technical: Four cars available for this race, two with revised updated aerodynamic package.

Sporting: Jean Alesi spun early on during his first stint in the Jordan EJ-11 on Friday morning, running with the earlier spec aero package. He set sixth fastest time in the afternoon while Trulli had no problems getting used to the newer configuration trim.

Quotes: Alesi: "That was a silly mistake, but this is a big opportunity for me and I intend to take it."

MILD SEVEN BENETTON RENAULT (Fisichella 7^th/ Button Technical: New front wing, bargeboards, undertray and diffuser.

Sporting: Fisichella very happy with the feel of the revised set-up despite one off-track moment. Reckoned car was better on the quicker corners. Button struggling for set-up for much of the time.

Quotes: Fisichella: "We have made plenty of positive progress with these changes."

Technical: New nose wing and undertray for this race.

Sporting: Heidfeld reported the car was better in high downforce trim than it had been at Monaco, benefitting from a combination of the new aerodynamics and the electro-hydraulic differential which has been adopted since that race. Raikkonen lost time with suspension problems which cost him more than 45 minutes of track time.

Quotes: Raikkonen: "Today the balance of my car varied between understeer in the high speed corners and oversteer in the medium, but we have very good data to help us for tomorrow."

Technical: New aerodynamic package developed at Valencia prior to the German GP.

Sporting: Both drivers went in different directions initially in terms of set-up with Panis making the most positive option. Villeneuve aims to make major changes to car for tomorrow.

Quotes: Villeneuve: "All we did initially was to make the car worse, but Olivier came up with some interesting solutions and I will be having a close look at his data."

Technical: Aerodynamic revisions for this high downforce track.

Sporting: Heinz-Harald Frentzen spent the session getting used to the Prost AP04, working on handling balance and set-up, having a spin in the process. Burti complained of poor balance, too much understeer and oversteer.

Quotes: Alain Prost: "As usual we ran the cars with high fuel levels today."

Technical: New front wing for this race.

Sporting: Verstappen reported that the choice between the harder and softer option Bridgestones and reported that the wing was a very positive development. Bernoldi had no specific problems despite a couple of undamaging minor spins.

Quotes: Verstappen: "We had a good session today and got lots of work done, so overall I'm quite happy with the job we did today."

Technical: New titanium gearbox together with revised rear suspension on Alonso's car.

Sporting: Alonso reported that the new package was very promising, but that there was still a lot to learn. Marques had two spins.

Quotes: Marques: "Unfortunately on my final spin I broke the diffuser on my car."