SILVERSTONE, England — Formula One points leader Felipe Massa spun off the track and hit a wall during Friday’s practice for the British Grand Prix, but only after setting the fastest time in his Ferrari.
The Brazilian, who leads the Formula One standings by two points, climbed out of his car a few minutes after the crash and did not appear to be hurt.
He already had posted the fastest time in the first practice of 1 minute, 19.575 seconds when he spun on some oil at the end of the fastest straight of the Silverstone circuit. His car spun 180 degrees and went into the safety wall backward, damaging the rear.
With Massa unable to continue, his rivals resumed chasing his time. McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen was closest in his final lap just before the session ended, leading Massa’s time at the first two intermediate timings but crossing the finish line 0.012 slower.
McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.048 behind.
Massa’s time held up in the second practice session, when he returned for 17 laps and placed eighth, 0.954 slower than Kovalainen, who was fastest with a 1:19.989.
Another round of practice will be staged Saturday and followed by qualifying for Sunday’s race.
Also Friday, FIA president Max Mosley and Formula One Manufacturers boss Bernie Ecclestone announced that the British GP was moving from Silverstone to Donington Park in 2010.
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