Alonso shines in Magny Cours practice

(CNN) -- Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso gave his Renault team a boost on home soil with a storming performance in second practice for Sunday's French Grand Prix at Magny Cours.

Alonso's time on Friday afternoon of one minute 15.778 seconds was the second quickest of the day behind Felipe Massa, who broke Michael Schumacher's lap record in the morning in his Ferrari with a time just over four tenths faster.

Brazil's Massa was second quickest in the afternoon with a lap of one minute 15.854 seconds, but survived a scare when he ran wide on a sweeping right-hander and into the gravel, just missing a wall on exit.

Ferrari teammate, and reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen was third quickest with a time of one minute 15.999, pushing Britain's Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren into fourth.

Spain's Alonso had endured a disappointing morning session, blowing his engine to leave his mechanics with a race against time to get ready for the afternoon timings.

Alonso has been frustrated at his Renault's lack of competitiveness after his switch following a turbulent season at McLaren.

"The aim for the future and next year is not clear. It's only the eighth Grand Prix of the season, and at the moment all my focus and concentration are on this year," Alonso told the Associated Press.

"I don't want to finish the season with only nine points and with no podiums."

Sebastian Vettel again ran strongly in his Toro Rosso for fifth, with the BMW Sauber of current championship leader Robert Kubica in sixth, followed by McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.

The second BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld was eighth, with Nelson Piquet ninth in his Renault and David Coulthard 10th for Red Bull.