At the start a drama on the first corner left Villeneuve and Herbert in the gravel when Irvine took a wide line and touched them. Irvine retired later in the lap with broken suspenion.
Disapointments for both Frentzen and Alesi both losing out while in second place. Alesi ran out of fuel on the way to the pits half way through and Frentzen spun into the gravel only a few laps from the end with brake problems.
World Champion Damon Hill retired on the warm-up lap with mechanical problems. Teammate Diniz (allowed to race even with a qualifying time outside of the 107%) finished in 10th.
As expeccted the top 6 are made up of Williams, Ferrari and McLaren. A very unhappy World Champion Damon Hill can be found on the 10th row 5.4 seconds behind former team mate Villeneuve.
The two Lola's and Hills team mate Diniz all failed to qualify due to the 107% rule.
Michael Schumacher in his Ferrarri lead a decisive charge being half a second faster than fellow country man Frentzen in the seasons first free practice session. Brother Ralph was an impressive 5th fastest in the session.
World Champion Damon Hill was 13th fastest with the two new Lola cars bringing up the rear.