Michael Schumacher will lose ten grid places following today's qualifying sessions. The German will use his T-car plus T-car engine for qualifying, after crashing heavily at turn six at Interlagos.

Michael, who was completely unhurt in the accident, seemed surprised and puzzled afterwards, though teammate Rubens Barrichello suggested that the world champion's Ferrari had 'bottomed' prior to the German losing control.

Therefore, Schumacher, who, following his win in the Japanese Grand Prix, is first out, will use a completely unknown car.

As Michael prepares to come out and get the pre-qualifying session underway, the ambient temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41 degrees.

At 12:00 precisely, the German heads down the pitlane, the final back-to-back qualifying session of the 2004 season is underway. Having completed his out lap, the Ferrari star begins his flying lap, completing the first sector in 17.8s. At the second split it's 35.7, as he finally crosses the line at, 1:10.192 - a staggering time, when you consider he hasn't driven this car before.

His brother Ralf is next out, following his impressive performance in Japan. At the first split the WilliamsF1 driver posts 18.0s, followed by a 35.7s at the second. At the line it's 1:10.258, the WilliamsF1 driver missing out by 0.066.

Jenson Button is next out, he was one of a handful of drivers to break the 1:10s barrier this morning. At the first split it's 17.9s, followed by a 35.9 at the second. At the line it's 1:10.607, which puts the BAR star third.

Teammate Takuma Sato is next out, what can he do? The Japanese driver is fastest of all in the first sector, posting 17.8. He loses ground in the second sector, breaking the beam at 35.9. At the line it's 1:10.373, which puts him third, ahead of his teammate.

Renault has not looked impressive this weekend, next up is Fernando Alonso. At the first split the Spaniard posts 18.0s, followed by a 35.9 at the second. The 2003 Hungary GP winner crosses the line at 1:10.637, which puts him fifth, of five.

Kimi Raikkonen, like his teammate David Coulthard, has looked consistently good this weekend, he's next. At the first split the Finn posts 17.9, only marginally off the pace. At the second split it's 35.7, followed by a 1:10.440 at the line. The McLaren driver goes fourth.

Juan Pablo Montoya, who will partner Raikkonen next season, is next up. At the first split the Colombian posts 17.8, followed by a 35.5 at the second - he's fastest of the lot in that sector. At the line it's 1:09.862, a staggering lap, the first driver to break the 'magical' 1:9s barrier.

Giancarlo Fisichella is next. The Italian completes the first sector in 17.9s, only marginally off the pace. At the second split it's 35.7, followed by a 1:10.467, sixth for the Sauber star.

Teammate Felipe Massa is next up, next year he's joined by Jacques Villeneuve. He's quickest of all in the first sector, the local boy posting 17.6. He loses ground in the second sector (35.6), but it's marginal. At the line it's 1:09.930, he goes second, absolutely amazing.