Alonso fastest all day at soggy Spa

Fernando Alonso was on top all day Friday at a wet Spa circuit

(GMM) Fernando Alonso was fastest in both of Friday's practice sessions at Spa-Francorchamps.

But after emerging from his Red Bull with the 18th quickest time in the afternoon, championship leader Mark Webber warned observers not to read too much into the first day's results.

Indeed, the track was wet for most of the running, and when the sun was shining at the end, the red flags were waving due to spectators climbing a perimeter fence.

But on a late dash on dry tires, Alonso followed up his wet morning time with the best time of the day in the afternoon, causing HRT driver Karun Chandhok to describe Ferrari's pace as "ominous" on BBC radio.

The Italian team has another blown diffuser development in Belgium this weekend.

"I think we have improved the car over the last three grands prix, which means we now have a very competitive package," said Spaniard Alonso.

Sebastian Vettel's sixth place was the fastest Red Bull time on Friday afternoon, but Alonso said on Thursday that the Austrian-owned team is still favorite.

"I don't see how they would lose a one second advantage since Hungary, but this race and the next one at Monza requires special low downforce and it will be interesting to see who makes the best job of running this configuration," he said.

Practice 2 Results

Pos

Driver Team/Engine Time Behind Laps
1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari-Ferrari 1m49.032s +0.000s 25
2. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m49.157s +0.125s 17
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m49.248s +0.216s 14
4. Robert Kubica Renault-Renault 1m49.282s +0.250s 20
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari-Ferrari 1m49.588s +0.556s 23
6. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m49.689s +0.657s 19
7. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m49.755s +0.723s 20
8. Pedro de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1m50.081s +1.049s 27
9. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m50.128s +1.096s 22
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m50.200s +1.168s 24
11. Vitaly Petrov Renault-Renault 1m50.251s +1.219s 24
12. Michael Schumacher Mercedes-Mercedes 1m50.341s +1.309s 23
13. Nico Rosberg Mercedes-Mercedes 1m50.382s +1.350s 21
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m50.682s +1.650s 25
15. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m50.831s +1.799s 20
16. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m51.520s +2.488s 17
17. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m51.523s +2.491s 25
18. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m51.636s +2.604s 19
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1m53.480s +4.448s 15
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m53.639s +4.607s 21
21. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m54.325s +5.293s 17
22. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 1m55.751s +6.719s 24
23. Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1m56.039s +7.007s 21
24. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m03.179s +14.147s 3