Ahead of the first free practice session for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, an event which accordi8ng to Norbert Haug is the most important in motorsport history, the ambient temperature is 26 degrees C, as is the track temperature.

Certainly this is a historic day, not least because it marks the return to racing duty of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who replaces Jarno Trulli at Renault. Another returnee is Ralf Schumacher, who is back in the WilliamsF1 after missing six races, the result of his accident at Indianapolis.

At 11:00 precisely, Bas Leinders is the first man to take to the track, the Belgian is followed by teammate Zsolt Baumgartner, Anthony Davidson, Gianmaria Bruni and Bjorn Wirdheim. Panis, Zonta, Doornbos, Briscoe, Klien, Massa, Glock and Fisichella, are equally keen to get to work.

As the drivers return to their garages, the installation lap completed, Montoya, Heidfeld and Villeneuve take to the track, as does Ralf.

Different circuit, same old story. With most of the cars having completed one installation lap, there's a total lack of on track activity. With the Ferraris and two BARs of Button and Sato yet to make an appearance. Finally, ten minutes into the session, it appears that we're about to witness the first timed lap of this impressive track - the honour falling to Jordan, and indeed F1, new boy, Robert Doornbos.

As the Dutch driver crosses the line, posting a 1:48.701, Button and Sato come out to play. Moments later, Briscoe raises the benchmark with a 1:41.097.

Doornbos improves with a 1:46.256, as Briscoe also improves, the Australian posting 1:40.753.

Davidson, running a 555 liveried car, leaves the pitlane, the Englishman almost certain to take a second or two off the current benchmark, though at this point Briscoe posts 1:39.438.

As Doornbos improves to 1:44.466, Bjorn Wirdheim goes second quickest with a 1:42.534, only to be relegated to third moments later, when Davidson posts 1:38.343.

Twenty minutes into the session and Jacques Villeneuve comes out, joining Leinders, Bruni, Glock, Ralf and Webber.

Doornbos goes third, the Dutch driver steadily improving as he familiarises himself with the Jordan EJ14 and the circuit. Elsewhere, Davidson improves to 1:38.014.

On his first timed lap, Villeneuve goes seventh, 8.1s off the pace, as Michael Schumacher - twenty-four minutes into the session - opts to honour us with his presence. Moments later he's joined by his Ferrari teammate.

Ralf Schumacher immediately goes second quickest, the German crossing the line at 1:38.733, that's 0.719s off Davidson's pace. Meanwhile, Villeneuve improves to 1:42.116, seventh.

The Ferraris continue around, both look set to post times on their first full lap. Rubens Barrichello goes fourth, behind Davidson, Ralf and Briscoe, as Massa goes quickest, the Sauber driver posting 1:37.873.

Michael Schumacher posts 1:37.300, only to be eclipsed by both Montoya and Barrichello moments later. The new benchmark is 1:36.660.

As Jacques goes eighth (1:40.052), teammate Fernando Alonso takes to the track. The top three, Barrichello, Montoya and Michael, are covered by 0.640s.

Alonso goes sixth, crossing the line at 1:38.701, around 1.3s quicker than his Canadian teammate. Next time around, the Spaniard improves, as does JV.

On their first flying laps, Panis and Zonta take ninth and tenth, slotting in right behind Toyota's third driver Ryan Briscoe.

With twenty-five minutes remaining, the only drivers yet to post times are; Fisichella, Raikkonen, Coulthard, Webber, Button and Sato.

Christian Klien goes thirteenth, splitting the Jordans of Heidfeld and Doornbos, as Panis improves with a 1:39.282 and Briscoe goes seventh with a 1:38.517.

As Wirdheim improves with a 1:39.126, Davidson goes quickest in the second and third sectors, crossing the line at 1:36.199 to go quickest.

Alonso improves to fifth (1:37.453), as Ralf goes fourth with a 1:37.079, forcing his brother down to fifth. Elsewhere, Button goes tenth.

It's clear why McLaren and Mercedes are none too happy with the proposed changes to the engine rules. With seventeen minutes remaining, the two silver and black cars are still in their garages, keeping those Ilmor V10s safe and (hopefully) sound.

As Jenson Button improves from thirteenth to seventh, teammate Takuma Sato goes tenth. Meanwhile Alonso is now almost 2s quicker than his new teammate.