Alonso tops F1 timesheet in second free practice

[The Stig]

McLaren's Fernando Alonso was the pick of the field in Friday free practice ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard continued his recent good form by clocking the fastest lap of the day in the afternoon session at the Hungaroring.

The defending double world champion claimed a dramatic victory at the Nurburgring two weeks ago and he seems to be in a good position to repeat that success in Hungary where he last won in 2003.

Alonso's stellar performance in Germany saw him move to within two points of Lewis Hamilton his McLaren teammate and leader of the driver's standings.

Hamilton's record run of nine consecutive podium finishes ended at the Nurburgring after a dramatic crash in qualifying and the 22-year-old sensation was off the track again on Friday afternoon, albeit in far less sensational style.

The British rookie's McLaren had to be lifted out of a gravel trap after he lost control and span off the track.

The incident prematurely ended Hamilton's practice but did not prevent him clocking the third fastest time.

Directly above Hamilton on the time-sheet was Renault's Heikki Kovalainen.

Fourth place in Canada has been his best result to date but the kind of pace he showed at the Hungaroring will have him dreaming of more in Sunday's race.

The Renaults were disappointing in the morning session but Italian Giancarlo Fisichella completed a positive afternoon for them by finishing eighth fastest.

Williams' German driver Nico Rosberg displayed his burning talent with a strong showing to finish fourth fastest ahead of his countryman Nick Heidfeld in a BMW.

Heidfeld's Polish teammate Robert Kubica topped the times in the morning practice but could not reproduce that form in the afternoon finishing tenth.

The Ferrari's of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were also further down the field after lunch, finishing sixth and seventh quickest respectively.