SHANGHAI, 25 September 2004 — BAR test driver Anthony Davidson put Ferrari’s seven times world champion Michael Schumacher in the shade yesterday as Formula One made an historic debut in China.

The young Briton, who will not race tomorrow when a sellout 160,000 strong crowd is expected for the first grand prix at the breathtaking $325 million Shanghai circuit, set the pace in both practice sessions.

His best time of one minute 33.289 seconds, clocked on an overcast afternoon in front of a towering but largely empty grandstand, was already comfortably faster than circuit designers’ estimated lap time of 1:34.000.

But his reign as the fastest man yet around the circuit looks sure to end today.

Germany’s Ralf Schumacher, returning for Williams after a six-race absence following his big crash in the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in June, was second quickest in the first session with a time of 1:35.455.

Briton Jenson Button, Davidson’s BAR teammate, was second fastest in the afternoon in 1:34.174 but BAR’s delight was diluted by a second session engine failure that will cost Japan’s Takuma Sato 10 places on the starting grid.

McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, winner in Belgium last month, was third fastest. Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, who secured his seventh world championship at that race in Spa, was only 15th on the timesheets in the morning after stopping at the end of the pit exit with three minutes remaining.

The German phenomenon, winner of 12 of the season’s 15 races to date, was eighth best in the afternoon but still more than a second off the pace. Despite its evident newness, drivers praised the circuit and expected good overtaking opportunities on a challenging layout unlike any other in the championship.

Schumacher’s Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, winner of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza 12 days ago, was fifth quickest overall.

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, making his Formula One comeback with Renault after a year’s absence, made a steady start to his return and was 15th fastest in the second session after a late off-track excursion.

Rossi Could Make F1 Switch, Say Drivers

Motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi has the talent to drive in Formula One, Barrichello said yesterday. Rossi impressed during a secret Ferrari test this year and Barrichello believes, with enough mileage under his belt, he could switch from two wheels to four. The Italian press has speculated that Rossi could have a chance if champions Ferrari have to run three cars next year to make up the numbers on a depleted starting grid.On the eve of the last race in Monza, Ferrari boss Jean Todt was quoted as saying: “If Rossi wants to race in Formula One, it is entirely up to him.”

Seven-times F1 world champion Michael Schumacher praised Rossi as a “natural” after the Italian drove the Ferrari at the team’s Fiorano test track in April.

Barrichello, however, sounded a note of caution for Rossi. “I was there the day Valentino (tested) the car and he ran very well,” he said. “Obviously, for him to race I think he will need more than just the month of December to test.

“He will need a lot of testing to be able to get reasonable times out of the car.”