• Italian Grand Prix - FP2

Schumacher happy with F-duct performance

Michael Schumacher enjoyed the benefits of the F-duct during free practice © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Vettel cranks up the heat in Monza
  

• Race:
• Italian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher left the Monza circuit in an optimistic frame of mind despite finishing 14th fastest after Friday's free practice for the Italian Grand Prix.

"Our performance today does not look too bad, especially in the first sector where we worked a lot on top speed, and look quite good," said Schumacher. "We are using our F-duct and it worked well given that the benefits on this track, where you have to use a small rear wing, are naturally much smaller than on other circuits. I am looking forward to what will hopefully be an enjoyable weekend."

Schumacher, who has won the Italian Grand Prix four times, said his positive feelings for a happy hunting ground came flooding back when he took to the circuit.

"Monza has always been a great track to drive and from the sensations and the emotions that I experienced out there today, it feels just like it did over the many years that I have raced here previously."

Team-mate Nico Rosberg echoed Schumacher's sentiments, confessing himself happy with Friday's running.

"Today was ok and the car is generally working well which meant that we could do some useful fine-tuning of our set-up," said Rosberg, who was tenth quickest. "The tyres seem straightforward and I was happy with my long runs and the consistency that we were able to achieve. I had an issue with understeer through the faster parts of the track so we need to try to resolve that overnight. Our top speed looks reasonable so tomorrow will be about extracting the maximum from the car at its current level."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.