Ahead of the first part of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 40 degrees.

However, with minutes to go, there are ominous black clouds heading towards the track.

As a result of an engine failure in today's second free practice session, Felipe Massa required a new engine, which in turn means that he loses ten places on the grid.

First out for the first part of the session is German GP winner - indeed just about every other GP winner this year - Michael Schumacher, in the Ferrari F2004. He will be followed by Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and David Coulthard. Last out will be Ricardo Zonta, who is making his 2004 F1 race debut.

At 13:00 precisely, the reigning world champion leaves his garage, the session begins.

At the first split the German posts 28.3, as Jenson Button leaves the BAR garage. At the second split it's 28.5. At the line the six-time world champion posts 1:19.107, an unbelievable lap that is way, way faster than anything else we've seen this weekend.

Jenson crosses the line to begin his lap, completing the first sector 28.5s later. He's down on Schumacher, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 28.7, as he loses ground, finally crossing the line at 1:19.878, 0.771s off the German's pace.

Fernando Alonso is next out. The 2003 Hungary GP winner completes the first sector in 28.6, he's already 0.3s down on the Ferrari. At the second split it's 28.8, followed by 1:20.135 at the line. The Renault star goes third.

Apart from the fourth free practice session, the McLarens have been looking good, what can Coulthard do? At the first split the Scot posts 28.6, again, he's 0.3s down on Schumacher. At the second split it's 29.7, he loses vital time as he goes wide. At the line it's a highly disappointing 1:21.192, more than 2s off the pace.

Juan Pablo Montoya is next, he too has been looking good this weekend, now that WilliamsF1 has ditch that nose. At the first split it's 28.2, he's quickest. However, a minor mistake in the second sector costs him. He makes up time in the final sector but can only manage 1:19.821, which puts him second, but over 0.7s off the pace.

Mark Webber is next out, the Jaguars haven't looked good this weekend. At the first split the Australian posts 29.5, he's already over a second off Schumacher's pace. He makes up ground in the second sector, finally crossing the line at 1:21.452, which puts him sixth.

Antonio Pizzonia is next out, 'Jungle boy' has been looking very good so far. At the first split, the Brazilian posts 28.6, he's around 0.3s down on Schumacher. He loses a little more time in the second sector, but not much. At the line it's 1:20.019, which puts him fourth, behind Schumacher, Montoya and Button.

Takuma Sato is next, can he outpace his teammate? At the first split the Japanese driver posts 28.6, he's 0.3s down on the German. At the second split it's 28.6, as he makes up a little ground. At the line it's 1:19.695, he goes second fastest, without being particularly fast, or outstanding, in any of the sectors. Great lap Takuma.

Giancarlo Fisichella is next out in the Sauber. The Italian completes the first sector in 28.4, he's only slightly off Schumacher's pace. He loses ground in the second sector, but he's still in touch with the other pace-setters. At the line it's 1:19.668, he goes second. A brilliant performance from the Renault-bound Italian.

Christian Klien needs a good result, what can he do? At the first split it's 29.1, he's quicker than his teammate. At the second split he's still quicker, around 0.4s faster than Webber. At the line it's 1:21.510, as he loses a heap of time. He goes tenth, of ten.

Jarno Trulli is another driver that needs a boost, he's next out. At the first split it's 28.4, he's down on Schumacher, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 28.9, he's lost ground. At the line the Italian posts 1:19.879, to go sixth.

Rubens Barrichello had a nightmare race in Germany, he's next out. At the first split the Brazilian posts 28.2, he's up on his teammate. At the second split he's still quickest, around 0.3s faster than Schumacher. The Ferrari star is the first to break the 1:18s barrier, crossing the line at 1:18.436, an absolutely stunning lap. Quite superb.

Felipe Massa is next out, not only does he have a hard act to follow, he will lose ten grid positions following that engine change. At the first split he posts 28.2, followed by a 28.7s at the second, this is another good lap. At the line it's 1:19.658, which puts him fourth, behind the Ferraris but ahead of his teammate.

Olivier Panis is next out, the TF104B making its second race appearance this weekend. At the first split it's 28.5, he's down on Barrichello, but not by a lot. At the second split it's 29.2, he's lost a load of time. At the line it's 1:20.491, he goes eleventh.