Twenty-eight of the 29 drivers were on course. FRANCK MONTAGNY was the only driver not to turn a lap in the second session. He landed in the gravel trap on his first lap - in the same Turn Four area where MICHAEL SCHUMACHER landed earlier in the day.
Montagny, of France, hasn't run the full season, coming on board after Monaco for three races as temporary replacement for YUJI IDE of Japan, when
FIA withdrew Ide's license. There's some talk that Montagny will be replaced by SAKON YAMAMOTO before the Frenchman's race in his home country at Magny-Cours in two weeks. The Super Aguri team would like a Japanese driver. Montagny said he has been told he would be in France, in some capacity.
"I will be there for sure, 100 per cent, but I don't know exactly in which position I will be," he noted.
Montagny, the only French driver currently in
F1, had been the test driver for
Renault, and started the season as test driver for
Super Aguri.
Super Aguri is delaying the launch of its new car until the German Grand Prix next month. The new Japanese team is running a four-year old Arrows for the time being.
All but five of the 28 drivers improved their times from the morning. Those who did not included MICHAEL SCHUMACHER; JENSON BUTTON; NEEL JANI; RUBENS BARRICHELLO and ALEX WURZ.
Young Graham Rahal, at 17 years five months and 26 days, is the youngest ever polesitter in the IRL Indy Pro Series. This is Rahal's debut in the IRL developmental series. His fastest lap Friday was 1min 25.5810secs. Only five other Indy Pro drivers have earned the pole in their first race.
FERNANDO ALONSO is not the only driver this weekend to have his helmet reflect his love World Cup Soccer. JAY HOWARD also has a special red, white and silver paint scheme this weekend to show his support for England's team, which plays Saturday against Portugal.
