MONACO GRAND PRIX
Venue: Monte Carlo Dates: 21-24 May (no action on Friday 22) Coverage: Live coverage of Thursday's practice sessions, Saturday's qualifying sessions and Sunday's race across BBC TV, radio and online. Find complete listings here

Highlights - Rosberg sets pace in Monaco

By Chris Whyatt

Williams' Nico Rosberg set the day's fastest lap in the second Monaco Grand Prix practice session as Brawn's Rubens Barrichello went quickest in the first.

McLaren's world champion Lewis Hamilton showed some aggressive driving to post top-three lap times in both sessions.

Barrichello was also third in the second session, just ahead of team-mate and championship leader Jenson Button.

Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull and Robert Kubica's BMW Sauber suffered engine problems on day one in Monte Carlo.

Hamilton's time of one minute 15.445 seconds in the second session was the second fastest of the day - beaten only by Germany's Rosberg with 1:15.243 - and it marked a promising showing for the 24-year-old in a season where he has largely struggled for pace.

Button hopes for off-circuit resolution

Rosberg topped the timesheets in his Williams for the ninth time in 17 sessions so far this season, but his highest grid slot has been fourth and his best finish has been sixth, in Australia.

"Williams has made a big step forward this year and I'm pleased to be fighting for points in every race," he said after practice.

Vettel, who sits third behind England's Button and Brazil's Barrichello in the drivers' championship, was forced to end his opening session early after smoke came from his car, but he finished sixth, 0.604secs off the pace, in the afternoon.

His team-mate Mark Webber also experienced issues and was unable to complete a normal quota of laps.

"We didn't have a great run, reliability-wise, which was a first this season," admitted Webber.

Kubica and BMW Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who finished among the final five slowest times in both sessions, struggled with brake balance with Kubica even describing it as a "disaster" early on.

Kubica's fiery end to second practice

Following that, the Pole's engine also appeared to blow out as a flash of flames erupted from the back of his car followed by a thick plume of trailing smoke as he approached the Casino corner of the circuit.

Although practice means little, struggling constructors' champions Ferrari may be boosted by Felipe Massa finishing in the top five in both sessions.

The Brazilian was just shy of the time which put him on pole for the 2008 Monaco GP in the second session - with Rosberg, Hamilton, Barrichello and Button all going under it.

Toyota, third in the constructors' championship after strong performances in this season's first five races, failed to shine as Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli could not finish among the 10 quickest times.

Both practice sessions were used by the 10 Formula 1 teams to test any new additions they have made to their cars, and to subsequently adjust to one of the most unique circuits in the sport.

Red Bull are running with a new 'double' diffuser in the Principality while championship leaders Brawn also have a series of modifications, including a new rear wing configuration, changes to the car's suspension and a reconfigured chassis to suit the tight, twisty track.

606: DEBATE Don't the Monaco streets give a clearer indication of who is a technically better driver than others? As opposed to a quick open circuit? flyinghurdler2

"We've not been standing still," team boss Ross Brawn told BBC Sport.

Button, who has won four out of five races this season, had the front end of his car taken off and inspected after making contact with a wall in the second session.

But he looked largely comfortable throughout the day as Brawn appeared to exhibit their continuing strength.

The third and final practice session starts on Saturday 23 May at 1000 BST with qualifying taking place at 1300 BST.

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