Prac Two: Alonso holds the upper hand
Fernando Alonso responded to Michael Schumacher's early pace during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix with a late flying lap in today's session in Montreal.
Schumacher was the fastest race driver in first practice but world champion Alonso usurped his title rival in the second session with a last-minute flier.
BMW-Sauber test driver Robert Kubica was the man to beat in both sessions, although his lap of one minute 16.965 seconds in second practice was fractionally slower than his morning effort.
Renault ace Alonso muscled into the top three in second practice, ending the one-hour session on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve just 0.130secs down on Kubica.
Schumacher's morning pace deserted him come the afternoon session and he slipped down to 15th in his Ferrari as he bids for an eighth win in Montreal to cut Alonso's 23-point championship lead.
Williams test driver Alex Wurz was third fastest, just ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, who gave McLaren hope for an upturn in fortunes with fourth.
Honda tester Anthony Davidson was unusually low-key on his one chance to shine in a grand prix weekend, ending the session in fifth, one clear of Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella.
BMW-Sauber's Jacques Villeneuve, on the track named after his late father, gave his home fans reason for cautious optimism with 10th, making him the seventh fastest race driver.
Jenson Button slipped down the order after his top-six display this morning, although he was only just over a second off the pace in 14th for beleaguered Honda.
Scotsman David Coulthard, who failed to set a time in first practice, struggled in the second, finishing 24th in his Red Bull.
Jarno Trulli suffered an apparent mechanical problem on his Toyota on his way to 19th while Nico Rosberg bounced his Williams through the grass as he struggled to 21st.
