Hill has problems in practice

Defending champion Damon Hill was beset by problems Friday as he struggled with the 13th fastest time in his new Arrows car in practice for Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix here.

Hill, who was sensationally dumped by Williams Renault team owner Frank Williams after winning last year's world drivers' championship, was more than two and a half seconds slower than the fastest driver, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, in his first tilt at the Albert Park circuit this week.

The Englishman clocked one minute 35.073 seconds to Schumacher's 1:32.496, after a series of problems with the Arrows car, signalling a competitive season ahead for the champion after last year's title euphoria.

Hill had gear box trouble, with a damaged dog ring forcing him to stop in the opening morning session and his mechanics had to work fast to get him on the track for the afternoon hit-out.

"Because of the problem this morning we were flat out in the afternoon session to try and do all the work we needed to do, so I am very pleased to be only two and a half seconds away from the front," said 36-year-old Hill.