Yesterday's sessions were pretty much dominated by BAR, and in particular Anthony Davidson, the Brackley outfit appearing to have gotten its tyre choice spot-on, on the opening day of this inaugural China GP weekend.

That said, it wasn't all plain sailing, with Takuma Sato suffering yet another engine failure, consequently the Japanese driver will move back ten places from his qualifying position.

Ralf Schumacher made an impressive return to the cockpit, following a six race lay-off, while Jacques Villeneuve was equally impressive after almost a year out of F1.

It was a baptism of fire for young Robert Doornbos, who 'celebrated' his F1 debut by becoming the first driver to complete a lap of the Shanghai track, though shortly afterwards he added another 'honour' to his tally, that of being fined for speeding in the pitlane.

Ahead of today's third free-practice session, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is slightly higher at 28 degrees.

At 09:00 precisely, the pitlane lights turn green, Timo Glock leads teammate Nick Heidfeld, Zsolt Baumgartner and Gianmaria Bruni out on to the track.. the session in underway. Takuma Sato, who missed most of yesterday's second session, is also keen to get to work.

Whereas the others return to their garages after an installation lap, Sato stays out, however he return to his garage after his second lap.

Ralf Schumacher and teammate Juan Pablo Montoya are next out, closely followed by the McLaren duo of Raikkonen and Coulthard.

Zsolt Baumgartner, who was pretty impressive in yesterday's second session, posts the first time of the day, though at 1:41.582, you'd hardly describe it as a benchmark. Jenson Button completes his installation lap.

Fifteen minutes into this forty-five minute session and both the Saubers are on track, Massa quickest through the speed-trap (201.3 mph). Fisichella sets the benchmark with a 1:36.830, while Massa can only manage 1:37.251. Glock goes third (1:38.571), ahead of Bruni and Baumgartner.

A 1:36.673 sees Massa go quickest while Heidfeld goes third with a 1:37.933.

Rubens Barrichello goes quickest in the first sector, he appears to be the first of the real 'big guns' that will post a time. The Brazilian is quickest again in the second sector, finally crossing the line at 1:34.854, which is only 0.4s slower than he managed in yesterday's second session. Elsewhere, Ralf posts 1:35.160 to go second, while Webber goes third with a 1:36.206.

Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Schumacher are all on track, as is Takuma Sato. The Japanese driver goes sixth with a 1:36.882, though he's soon demoted by the Spaniard and the German, who go fifth and second quickest, respectively. Moments later, the Colombian goes fourth.

Only thirteen drivers have posted time, while Christian Klien has yet to make an appearance.

With fifteen minutes remaining, it's Barrichello, Michael, Ralf, Montoya, Webber, Alonso, Massa, Fisichella, Sato and Heidfeld. Moments later, Heidfeld is displaced by Villeneuve, who posts 1:37.029.

Villeneuve improves to fifth, the Canadian posting a 1:35.965, that's around 0.2s quicker than Alonso.

Once again, McLaren is opting to restrict its mileage, both DC and Kimi have only completed one installation lap. Zonta and Panis are two other drivers yet to post a time, while still no sign of Klien.

Fisichella goes third with a 1:35.049, while Button goes sixth, leapfrogging Villeneuve, moments later the former BAR teammates are forced down a position by Zonta who posts 1:35.597.

Massa has completed the most lap (14), while Fisichella, Sato and Baumgartner are all on 10.

With five minutes remaining, Coulthard goes eighth, the Scot posting a 1:35.930. Moments later, as Klien finally leaves his garage, Raikkonen posts a 1:35.532, to go sixth.

Michael Schumacher is back on track, and goes quickest in the second sector. As Klien goes sixteenth (1:37.160), Schumacher goes quickest with a 1:34.844, having gone quickest of the lot in the final sector.

Moments later however, it's Montoya that tops the timesheets, the Colombian posting 1:34.679.

Teammate Ralf Schumacher is on track, and with seconds of the session remaining he goes quickest in the second sector. Although he loses time in the final sector, he's still quick enough to go to the top of the timesheets giving WilliamsF1 a nice 1-2 to start the day with. Elsewhere, Webber improves to eleventh.

Ralf is quickest, ahead of Montoya, Michael, Barrichello, Fisichella, Raikkonen, Zonta, Button, Coulthard and Villeneuve.

Webber is eleventh, ahead of Sato, Alonso, Massa, Panis, Klien, Heidfeld, Bruni, Baumgartner and Glock.