The big surprise this morning has to have been Jordan's Nick Heidfeld, who put the yellow car sixth on the timesheets. No disrespect to Nick or his employers, but this appears to suggest that the car was running on fumes.

Mercedes' Norbert Haug, a man who knows hyperbole when he sees it, has described this weekend's race as the most important in motorsport history, therefore who would blame Jordan for running its cars a little light in an attempt to get at least one of them as near the front of the grid as possible.

Who cares, should the driver need to pit at the end of the second lap - a spot at the front of the grid would be a remarkable publicity coup by the Irish team at this time.

As Rubens Barrichello prepares to go out and get pre-qualifying underway, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature has risen to 41 degrees.

Monza winner Barrichello is first out, followed by teammate Michael Schumacher, then Jenson Button. The last three out will be Ralf Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Timo Glock.

At 13:00 precisely, the red Ferrari leaves its garage. The Brazilian begins his flying lap, completing the first sector in 24.4s. At the second split it's 27.5, followed by a 1:33.787 at the line.

Teammate Schumacher begins his lap, completing the first sector in 24.4, he's marginally up on the Brazilian. At the second split it's 27.6, as he loses a little pace. At the line it's 1:33.185, the German goes quickest by 0.602s. That's the fastest lap of the weekend, thus far.

Jenson Button completes the first sector in 24.8, he's already around 0.4s down on the German. At the second split, the Englishman posts 28.0s, followed by a 1:34.273s at the line. He's 1.088s down of the Ferrari, he'll be seriously disappointed.

Teammate Takuma Sato is next out, he forfeits ten grid spots as a result of yesterday's engine change. At the first split the Japanese driver posts 24.6, followed by a 28.0s at the second. At the line the BAR driver posts 1:34.051, which puts him ahead of Button.

Next out is Juan Pablo Montoya, who was impressive in the first session this morning. At the first split the Colombian posts 24.7, he's 0.3s down on Schumacher already. At the second split it's 27.9, the gap remains the same. At the line the WilliamsF1 driver clocks 1:34.016, which puts him third, behind the two Ferraris.

McLaren's David Coulthard is next out. At the first split the Scot posts 24.9, he's already lost half-a-second. At the second split it's 27.9, he's made up a little time. At the line it's 1:34.355, which puts him sixth. It was the first sector where he lost the most time.

The Saubers have been quick all weekend, first out in this session is Giancarlo Fisichella. At the first split the Italian posts 24.7, he's 0.3s down on Schumacher. At the second split it's 27.8, it's still looking good. At the line the 2003 Brazil GP winner posts 1:33.738, to take second, having gone quickest of all in the final sector. An amazing effort from 'Fisi'.

Mark Webber is next out, the Jaguar team could certainly do with a boost. At the first split the Australian posts 24.6, which is remarkably good, under the circumstances. At the second split it's 27.9, he's still in touch. At the line it's 1:34.334, which puts him seventh, ahead of Coulthard.