Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 34 degrees, while the track temperature is 50 degrees. It's hot, and with the Hungarian Grand Prix just over twenty-four hours away, it appears that the predicted rainstorms will not hit the region until Sunday night, early Monday.

First out will be Kimi Raikkonen, the only retirement in Germany, followed by Webber, Doornbos, Monteiro and Karthikeyan.

It's a historic day for McLaren, which is appearing for the first time, in God knows how many years, without any form of tobacco livery. The Woking team having dropped 'West' following yesterday's practice sessions, though the cars are still silver and black.

At 13:00 on the dot, Kimi leave his garage, the McLaren mechanics leaving the tyre warmers in place until the last possible moment.

The Finn, who enjoys a lot of support here in Hungary, much like predecessor Mika Hakkinen, completes the first sector in 28.486. At the second split it's 58.160, the McLaren looking as though it's running on rails. At the line it's 1:20.891, a superb lap, especially as he's first out. Utterly superb, total commitment.

Mark Webber is next out, the Australian completing the first sector in 28.969, he's already 0.48s down. The front of the "illiamsF1 looks unstable as he completes the second sector in 59.738, he's now 1.5s down. At the line it's 1:23.495 as he really wrestles with the FW27. clearly, the new wing isn't making a difference.

Robert Doornbos takes to the track in the Minardi. At the first split the Dutchman posts 29.886, followed by a 61.154 at the second. At the line the Minardi star posts 1:25.484, 4.5s adrift of Raikkonen.

Tiago Monteiro is next out, the Portuguese driver not looking that convincing thus far this weekend. At the end of his 'out' lap he returns to the pits meaning that Tiago will start from the back of the grid. Following an engine change this morning, the team opted not to post a time and used the 'out' lap merely as an installation lap.

Therefore, Narain Karthikeyan is next out in the second Jordan. At the first split the Indian driver posts 29.726, he's already 1.2s down. At the second split it's 60.962, the EJ15 looks a real handful. At the line it's 1:25.057, which puts him third, ahead of Doornbos.

Next out is Jacques Villeneuve in the Sauber. At the first split the Canadian posts 28.932, he's 0.44s down on Raikkonen. At the second split it's 59.536, as he loses further ground. At the line it's 1:22.866, which puts him second, ahead of Webber. Not bad, under the circumstances.

Jarno Trulli is on track in the Toyota, he's been having a torrid weekend. At the first split it's 28.533, he's down on Raikkonen, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 58.338, as he loses ground to the McLaren. The Italian crosses the line at 1:20.839 to take pole having gone quickest in the final sector. A great performance.

Christijan albers is on track in the second Minardi. It's 29.247 at the first split, the Minardi looking really erratic. At the second split it's 60.654, he's up on his teammate. At the line the Dutch driver posts 1:24.443 to go fifth ahead of Karthikeyan and Doornbos.

Takuma Sato really needs a good result this weekend, he's next out. At the first split it's 28.512, he's up on Trulli, but it's tight. At the second split it's 58.812 as he loses 0.4s. At the line the Japanese driver posts 1:21.787 to go third, he'll be disappointed with that second sector time.