First and second free practice sessions

Weather: Sunshine but breezy

Alessandro Nannini (Alfa Romeo) 1st: "I'm very pleased with the car
today. When we came here testing a few weeks ago it felt quite good
straight away. It has a good balance and I think that we can have quite
a good race."

Bernd Schneider (Mercedes) 2nd: "It is very hard to find a balance with
the 50 kilos of extra ballast. We have too much understeer on low fuel
tanks and oversteer on full tanks. The fastest time I made was with a
set-up that only works for one lap."

Nicola Larini (Alfa Romeo) 5th: "All through the second free practice I
was losing power. Right at the end of the session the engine broke so we
know there is a reason why I wasn't as fast as we hoped. Otherwise the
car is good and I think we can be quite quick here."

Klaus Ludwig (Opel) 6th: Had wheel bearing problems in the second free
session. "The car was good in the first session, when we were fastest,
but then we had this silly problem. However, the car's quite good and
I'm optimistic for this afternoon."

Manuel Reuter (Opel) 8th: "We were the fastest here in testing a few
weeks ago but now the car's balance has changed completely and we don't
know why. I hardly did any laps this morning because of technical
problems, then had to do a long run in the second session so we haven't
decided which tyres will work best for qualifying and the first race."
In addition Reuter is suffering with back problems which also affect his
right leg.

Yannick Dalmas (Opel) 9th: "We changed the car's set-up between the two
sessions but it didn't work so we'll go back for this afternoon. I lost
some time with an electronic problem on the gearshift."

JJ Lehto (Opel) 11th: "I've changed my driving style - but I'm not
saying what I've done until I've had a chance to try it on other tracks.
At present the car has understeer going into corners and oversteer going
out. I also had a problem with Michele Alboreto who blocked me twice and
then pushed me off into the gravel."

Kurt Thiim (Mercedes) 13th: "We were quick yesterday but changed the
set-up overnight and went the wrong way."

Keke Rosberg (Opel) 17th: "We're making slow progress. If we were to
stay here for another three weeks I think we could be the fastest!"

Michael Bartels (Alfa Romeo) 18th: "Second gear broke in the second
session so we had to change the gearbox. But the rest of the car isn't
so good either."

Michele Alboreto (Alfa Romeo) 24th: "I am not happy at all. We have all
sorts of problems with the car." Alboreto's car has revised aerodynamics
and suspension for this race.