Ahead of pre-qualifying, the air temperature is 23 degrees, while the track temperature is 35 degrees.

First out, for the tenth time this season, is Ferrari's Michael Schumacher. Ross Brawn has said that he doesn't believe the German will be on pole for his home race, which suggests that once again, the Englishman is looking ahead to his race strategy.

It's also worth noting that Despite his electrifying pace in the second free practice session, Jenson Button will lose ten grid positions as a result of yesterday's engine change.

At 13:00, Michael Schumacher noses the scarlet F2004 out of its garage. The session begins.

At the first split the German posts 16.3, going on to complete the second sector in 35s. At the line it's 1:14.042, as the six-time World Champion sets the benchmark.

As the McLaren revival continues, Kimi Raikkonen begins his flying lap, the Finn completing the first sector in 16.1, he's already up on the German. At the second split it's 34.8, as he takes even more time from the Ferrari star. At the line it's 1:13.842, a superb lap from the 2003 runner-up.

Rubens Barrichello is next out, the Brazilian has yet to win a race this season. At the first split the Ferrari driver posts 16.4, slightly slower than his McLaren rival. At the second split it's 34.8, followed by a 1:14.111 at the line. He goes third.

Jenson Button is next out, the Englishman clearly frustrated at his grid penalty. At the first split it's 16.2, he's down on Raikkonen, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 34.6, he goes quicker than the Finn. At the line it's 1:13.535, quickest so far, and a stark reminder of what might have been.

Juan Pablo Montoya was on pole here last year, could today mark the beginning of the revival? At the first split the Colombian posts 16.2, again, it's marginal. At the second split it's 34.4, he's quicker than Button. He crosses the line at 1:13.391, as Michelin proves its utter superiority. A brilliant lap.

Silverstone hero, Giancarlo Fisichella is next out. At the first split, the Italian posts 16.2, followed by a 34.8s at the second. At the line the Sauber driver - who looks set to re-join Renault - posts 1:13.914, which puts him ahead of the Ferraris.

David Coulthard takes to the track in the second McLaren, the Scot outpaced his teammate this morning. At the first split it's 16s, he's quickest so far. He loses a little ground in the second sector, but not much. At the line it's 1:13.640, he's goes ahead of his teammate. A great performance from the Scottish veteran.

Mark Webber completes the first sector in 16.6, the Jaguar clearly lacking pace. At the second split it's 35s, followed by a 1:15.093 at the line. He goes eighth, of eight.

Felipe Massa is next out, the Brazilian posting 16.3 at the first split. At the second split it's 34.7, as the Sauber driver goes on to complete the lap in 1:13.899, which puts him ahead of his teammate, and the Ferraris.

Renault's Fernando Alonso is next out, what can he do? At the first split it's 16.2, he's off the pace, but only slightly. At the second split it's 34.4, he's still in touch with Montoya. At the line it's 1:13.582, he goes third behind the Colombian and Button. A good lap.

Takuma Sato didn't go out in the second session this morning, having crashed in the first. He's next out. At the first split the Japanese driver posts 16.5, he's already 0.3s down on his teammate. The gap is the same at the second split, which he completes in 34.9s. At the line it's 1:14.465, which puts him tenth. He'll be disappointed with that.

Cristiano da Matta is next out, Toyota expects great things this weekend. At the first split it's 16.8, which is slowest so far. He's still off the pace at the second split, posting 35.3. At the line it's 1:15.119, which puts him twelfth.

Christian Klien is on track in the second Jaguar, the Austrian youngster has been looking good this weekend. At the first split it's 16.5, which is around Sato's time. At the second split it's 35.1, as he loses a little ground. At the line it's 1:15.090, which puts him ahead of his teammate and da Matta.

Nick Heidfeld is next to run. At the first split the Jordan driver posts 16.9, which is slower than da Matta. At the second split it's 35.7, followed by a 1:16.538 at the line. He fourteenth, of fourteen.

Minardi's Gianmaria Bruni is next out. At the first split the Italian posts 17s, he's only slightly slower than Heidfeld. He's loses time in the second sector, posting 36.2 at the split. At the line it's 1:17.283, 0.7s off Heidfeld's time.

Giorgio Pantano is next out, the Italian having a difficult weekend. At the first split it's 16.5, which puts him almost half-a-second ahead of his teammate. At the second split it's 35.6, he's lost a little time. At the line it's 1:16.167, he beats Heidfeld by around 0.4s.