The importance of practice

Over the two years I have been watching Formula One I have grown wary of basing too much on Friday and Saturday practice and have come to dismiss it as nothing more than a rough guide to both qualifying and the race. However, I sat up and listened when, driving out of Silverstone on Friday night(in the mighty Skoda), I heard an interesting interview of Anthony Davidson on BBC Radio Five.

Anthony was talking about the way drivers view practice and reminded us that, between team-mates, practice times are hugely important. As he said "it is important to be on top all the time." He noted that Heikki had out-performed Lewis in both sessions on Friday(as he did again in the rain affected session today).

He said if it was him on the losing side of this equation, he would spend all night with his head in a lap-top trying to work out where to save the time necessary to beat his team-mate and then set out the next morning with nothing more on his mind than an intention to "destroy" his rival on the time-sheets.

That's how it was between him and Takuma at the erstwhile Super Aguri outfit. Of course Anthony also reminded us that this is all done in a very sporting manner and that it is quite possible to be on good terms with your team-mate socially and then go out and drive like hell to beat him on the track.

So, yes, Heikki has got the initiative over Lewis this weekend so far and, on Anthony's analysis, Lewis will be feeling pretty miffed by now and will be looking for revenge once the real action starts. It is interesting how Heikki seems to do well in the build-up but then falls victim to ill-fortune, or just fades a little, when it matters. I still believe he is due a really good result but, with the forecast this weekend, you wouldn't want to predict anything too confidently.

In today's paper we have a long look at the state of "planet Lewis" and at the surprising decision to move the British Grand Prix to Donington. Below are Heikki and Lewis's respective times this weekend so far.   

Friday morning
Heikki: 2nd fastest, 1:19.587, 15 laps
Lewis: 3rd, 1:19.623, 13

Friday afternoon
Heikki: 1st, 1:19.989, 35
Lewis: 3rd, 1:20.543, 31

Saturday morning
Heikki: 3rd, 1:21.266, 14
Lewis: 5th, 1:21.668, 14