With minutes to go before the first of today’s free practice sessions, the air temperature is 13 degrees C, while the track temperature is a cool 10 degrees. However, the most important factor is that it’s raining.

As the pitlane exit light turns green nobody appears that eager to begin work, then suddenly Patrick Friesacher fires up his Minardi – yes a Minardi – and exits his garage. Moments later he’s joined by Jacques Villeneuve.

As we previously reported, Paul Stoddart opted to withdraw his legal injunction and has instead had his team prepare the 2004 cars to 2005 specs.

Having completed an installation lap both drivers return to their garages, as Christian Klien takes to the track in the Red Bull.

Within seconds the Austrian is joined by Raikkonen, Karthikeyan, Coulthard and Trulli.

Moments later, Ralf, Massa, Albers and Monteiro are on track.

The rain stops but the track is still pretty damp.

Albers continues around and posts the first time of the session, 2:17.127. Unfortunately he spins off moments after crossing the line, luckily he is able to continue. He did well.

Juan Pablo Montoya comes out, closely followed by Heidfeld and Webber, as Albers posts a 2:04.184.

Teammate Patrick Friesacher is on track and looks set to post a good time, moments later the Austrian stops the clock at 2:02.126.

Having not done any work on Friday the two Minardis are dominating proceedings today, Albers posts a new benchmark, 1:56.901.

As they continue on their way, Kimi Raikkonen and Jarno Trulli leave the pits, hopefully we’re now going to see what times are really achievable.

Albers posts 1:55.490 as Raikkonen opts to return to his garage. Trulli continues around, closely followed by Karthikeyan and Monteiro.

With twenty minutes of the session gone the two Minardi drivers have the only times on the timesheet. It’s just as well that they’re here.

Karthikeyan goes second with a 1:57.826 as teammate Monteiro slips in behind. Next time around the Indian looks set to improve, going quickest in the second sector, at which point he spins. Luckily he is able to continue.

As Raikkonen exits the pits (again), Monteiro goes quickest with a 1:53.457. We still haven’t seen the Ferraris, the BARs or the Renaults.

The Finn sets a new benchmark, crossing the line at 1:46.501, moments later he goes even quicker, posting a 1:43.526, that’s more than 9s quicker than Monteiro.

With thirteen minutes remaining there are five drivers on track, Albers, Friesacher, Coulthard, Webber and Alonso, who has finally left the sanctuary of the Renault garage. Jacques Villeneuve also comes out to dip a toe in the water.

Ten minutes remaining, and with only five names on the timesheets, Rubens Barrichello leaves the pits. Meanwhile, Albers closes to within 5.040s of Raikkonen.

The Dutch driver has his second big spin of the day, and once again he somehow manages to continue. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher is on track.

Barrichello goes second with a 1:44.482, but teammate Schumacher is already on a hot lap. The German goes second with a 1:44.169, only to be bumped down to third moments later by his Brazilian teammate, who crosses the line at 1:41.933.

With just over three minutes remaining, only eight drivers have posted times.

Schumacher goes quickest, the German taking 0.629s out of his teammate. Raikkonen also improves but remains third.

Next time around the world champion goes even quicker, posting 1:40.540, leaving teammate Barrichello 1.393s behind.

On his very last lap, Friesacher spins off and is stuck in the kitty litter.

As the session ends there are just twelve names on the timesheets, though everyone has completed at least one lap.

The Ferraris are on top, ahead of Raikkonen, while we finally have a full compliment of 20 drivers.

Things can only get better.