Michael Schumacher clocked the fastest lap in Formula One testing and beat Fernando Alonso into second place on the Spaniard’s home Catalunya Circuit yesterday.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher timed his Mercedes in 1 minute, 21.249 seconds, more than three-tenths of a second quicker than Alonso in his Ferrari.

Schumacher’s teammate Nico Rosberg was third fastest while Nick Heidfeld ended practice fourth in a Renault, just ahead of Rubens Barrichello in a Williams.

World champion Sebastian Vettel was eighth fastest in a Red Bull, while 2009 champion Jenson Button was 13th in a McLaren, more than four seconds off the pace.

Schumacher’s time was the fastest so far in the eight days of practice at the northeastern circuit. Practice is due to end Saturday, when only McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Williams and Hispania are scheduled out on track.

However, it was not certain if the Spanish team’s new F1 car was going to be ready in time to run at race speeds.