Once again this weekend, Ralf Schumacher, who is still recovering from the injuries he sustained at Indianapolis in June, will be replaced by former Jaguar driver Antonio Pizzonia.

During the 'summer break' which has been largely dominated by the news of Jenson Button's move to WilliamsF1 for 2005, Toyota have dumped a number of key personnel, not least Cristiano da Matta, who will be replaced for the remainder of the season by former BAR driver and GT World Champion, Ricardo Zonta. This means that Australian Ryan Briscoe is promoted to the role of 'third driver', the youngster making his (public) F1 debut today.

With six races remaining, both the drivers' and constructors' championships would appear to be a forgone conclusion - with Ferrari almost certain to wrap up one title this weekend, and Michael Schumacher the other, in two weeks time at Spa, the track where he made his F1 debut in 1991.

However it's what's happening behind Schumacher and the Ferrari that matters. The constructors' championship is still wide open, and though Renault and BAR are slogging it out for the runner-up spot, McLaren could still put in a late charge, courtesy of the MP4-19B.

It's the standings in the constructors' championship that decides who gets what when the dosh is shared out at the end of the season, so these guys aren't simply fighting for pride or the prestige of finishing second.

Furthermore, no matter what's said, morale at BAR will have been badly jolted by the events of the past week. A lot of people at Brackley are going to be feeling more than a little let down, and though we are talking about consummate professionals, it will be interesting to see if the emphasis will swing in Sato's favour.

Other than the Grand Prix, the Hungaroring is hardly used, therefore it get very dusty. We can probably expect a few 'mistakes' today as the drivers try to get to grip with track.

The circuit is also notoriously difficult when it comes to overtaking - though not impossible as some would have you believe. Here, more than any other track, with the exception of Monaco, a good grid position is vital.

As the session begins, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is already 37 degrees.

Jordan's Timo Glock is first out - doing his bit for global warming - followed by Klien, Wirdheim, Davidson, Leinders, Massa, Panis, Pantano and Zonta. Briscoe and Trulli are also 'early risers', as is Juan Pablo Montoya.

Whether it's to prove a point or not we'll never know, but Jenson Button comes out and continues around, the BAR driver seemingly eager to be the first to post a time. He's fast in the first two sectors then dives back into the pits.

Ten minutes into the session and it's Timo Glock that posts the benchmark, though his 1:29.069 is around 8s off last year's pole time. Next time around, the German posts 1:27.261. Meanwhile, Wirdheim laps the track in 28.942.

Anthony Davidson is on track, the English youngster wants to make a big impression if he's to secure a seat for next season. He goes quickest with a 1:26.835.

The BAR 'third driver' improves to 1:26.280, the track is very dusty, as Leinders goes fourth behind Glock and Wirdheim.

Jenson Button is back on track, in all honesty he's probably delighted to get out of the BAR garage. (Joke).

Twenty minutes into the session and everyone has been out, with the exception of the two Ferraris.

Davidson goes quickest in the first sector, but loses ground in the second. He's quickest again in the final sector, and consequently crosses the line at 1:25.660, elsewhere Briscoe goes fourth with a 28.981.

Local hero Baumgartner has a problem, he just about makes it back to the beginning of the pitlane. The Minardi mechanics go fetch him.

A 1:25.218, sees Felipe Massa go quickest, as teammate Fisichella - who is heading to Renault next year - goes quickest in the second sector. The Italian is also quickest in the final sector, crossing the line at 1:24.198. Saubers first and second. That said, both drivers are pushing it to the limit, the Italian goes off through the gravel, but is able to continue. Massa makes a similar mistake.

Heidfeld goes fourth as Pizzonia goes sixth, and Bruni goes ninth. Next time around, the WilliamsF1 driver improves to third with a 1:25.404. Takuma Sato goes ninth, ahead of the two Minardis.

Timo Glock goes quickest in the first sector then posts personal bests in the second and third. The German goes second with a 1:24.883.

Thirty-three minutes into the session, the order is: Fisichella, Glock, Massa, Pizzonia, Davidson, Heidfeld, Sato, Pantano, Wirdheim and Briscoe.