Schumacher fastest as Coulthard's car catches fire
David Coulthard's hopes of a competitive time in opening free practice for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix went up in smoke when his McLaren caught fire on Friday.
The Scot, Formula One's runner-up last season but still seeking his first points of 2002, had completed just three slow laps when he pulled over with flames licking out of the rear right of the McLaren.
Coulthard jumped out as an official extinguished the flames, sending smoke billowing across the track.
Then, in sweltering humidity, he pushed the car back along the track to the pitlane from turn 21 before watching as world champions Ferrari went on to dominate the hour-long session.
A team spokeswoman said an exhaust pipe had caused the bodywork to catch fire.
SCHUMACHER FASTEST
Four-times world champion Michael Schumacher, who has won the last two out of three races in Malaysia and was also triumphant in Australia two weeks ago, was again fastest despite a spin.
The German's best lap of one minute 38.626 seconds was nearly a second quicker than Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello's 1:39.602.
Barrichello tracked harmlessly across the gravel with 40 minutes gone.
German Nick Heidfeld, in a Ferrari-powered Sauber, was third quickest in 1:41.124 while Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi lapped fourth fastest for Arrows.
The leading four cars were all on Bridgestone tyres with Briton Jenson Button, fifth in a Renault, the quickest driver with Michelin.
Japan's Takuma Sato, who failed to qualify but was allowed to enter the season-opening race in Australia after crashing and then running into technical problems with his Jordan, was sixth fastest.
Australian Mark Webber, a surprising fifth in Melbourne after a first-corner pile-up culled nearly half the field, managed only 15 minutes before pulling over in his Malaysian-sponsored Minardi.
His troubles allowed team mate and local hero Alex Yoong, who put in 19 laps compared to Webber's five, to set a faster time before the few home fans who turned out to watch the session.
