By James Neilson

While BAR were packing and going home to think about what they did, a la some child who stuck a peanut butter sandwich in their dad’s VCR, it was business as usual for the rest of the Formula One circus.

The high-pitched wail of, ugh! long life, V10 engines descended upon Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya for this Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Pedro De La Rosa led the way in both sessions as he continues to impress this year as Mclaren’s Third driver. We’ll forgive him for hoping to see his portly, by F1 standards, teammate Juan Pablo Montoya with a tennis racket in his hand again soon.

Speaking of the devil De La Rosa almost didn’t have to wait too long for his chance to shine in a grand prix again as Montoya had a huge accident at the end of the second practise session. Just as De La Rosa set his quickest time.

The crash tore off the right side of Montoya’s car and he was seen clutching his injured shoulder after he removed himself from his totaled car.

Now before Britney Spears’ "Oops I did it again" starts playing in everyone’s head, as it stands, Montoya has been cleared by doctors to take part in Saturday/Sunday’s qualifying sessions and the race.

World Championship leader Fernando Alonso had a quiet practise session as he began preparations that he hopes will result in his winning his home grand prix for the first time.

Williams driver Nick Heidfeld and Mclaren’s Kimi Raikkonen were fastest of the drivers who will actually compete in the race as De La Rosa and the Toyota of Ricardo Zonta edged them out.

Michael Schumacher struggled and was seconds off the pace in his Ferrari slotting in behind the similar-engined Sauber of Felipe Massa. Could this be a return to pre-Imola form for Ferrari? Fans of close racing sure hope so.

Mark Webber was notable for his absence from the time sheets as BMW engineers discovered a terminal flaw with their new batch of engines. Not wanting to be assessed a 10 grid place penalty for an engine change the Williams team chose to sit Webber instead. Heidfeld’s engine was used in last weekends San Marino Grand Prix and, as result, didn’t have the terminal flaw found in the new engines for Spain.

Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve, no doubt lost this week after a good result and nothing to slam, slotted in behind Schumacher as he hopefully continues his recent return to form. Villeneuve ended the day only 4 tenths off his teammate Felipe Massa who has impressed all year with his pace and consistency. A far cry from the driver who used to have to saw away at the wheel just to get the car pointed straight.

Here’s a look at where everyone finished:

1. DE LA ROSA / McLaren / 1m15.062s
2. ZONTA / Toyota / 1m16.220s
3. HEIDFELD / Williams / 1m16.527s
4. RAIKKONEN / McLaren / 1m16.586s
5. TRULLI / Toyota / 1m16.653s
6. COULTHARD / Red Bull / 1m16.797s
7. FISICHELLA / Renault / 1m17.200s
8. R.SCHUMACHER / Toyota / 1m17.264s
9. ALONSO / Renault / 1m17.356s
10. MONTOYA / McLaren / 1m17.555s
11. BARRICHELLO / Ferrari / 1m17.702s
12. MASSA / Sauber / 1m17.932s
13. M.SCHUMACHER / Ferrari / 1m18.042s
14. VILLENEUVE / Sauber / 1m18.336s
15. LIUZZI / Red Bull / 1m18.444s
16. KLIEN / Red Bull / 1m18.802s
17. KARTHIKEYAN / Jordan / 1m18.858s
18. DOORNBOS / Jordan / 1m19.125s
19. MONTEIRO / Jordan / 1m19.140s
20. ALBERS / Minardi / 1m19.581s
21. FRIESACHER / Minardi / 1m20.686s
22. WEBBER / Williams / no time