Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 30 degrees C, while the track temperature is 43 degrees. It's bright, sunny and dry.

The big news, other than the fact that Antonio Pizzonia is rep[lacing Nick Heidfeld, who is suffering a headache, is that Mercedes has opted to change Kimi Raikkonen's engine, which means that the Finn will drop ten grid positions.

At 13:00 precisely, Antonio Pizzonia heads off down the pitlane, the session is on. The Brazilian, who raced here precisely a year ago, replacing Ralf Schumacher, completes the first sector in 26.8. At the second split its 55.538, followed by a 1:23.291 at the line. Faster than this morning, but surprisingly conservative.

Next out is teammate Mark Webber, who has looked good in the free practice sessions. At the first split the Australian posts 26.508, he's 0.3s up on his teammate. At the second split it's 54.921, he's now 0.617s up on the Brazilian. At the line it's 1:22.560, a good solid lap.

Third out is Felipe Massa, the Sauber looking unconvincing, thus far, this weekend. At the first split it's 26.813, he's 0.3s down on Webber. At the second spit the Brazilian is 0.8s down on the Australian. At the line it's 1:23.060, which puts him second.

Next out is World Champion Michael Schumacher, who was certainly on the pace in the first session this morning. At the first split it's 26.539, he's up on Webber, but it's marginal. At the second split the German posts 54.417, he's now 0.503s up on the williamsF1. At the line it's 1:21.721, his quickest lap of the weekend, and provisional pole.

Last out before the break is Christijan Albers. At the first split the Dutchman posts 26.9, however, he gets it all wrong at the second chicane, taking a trip through the 'kitty litter' totally sideways… he does well to continue. Nonetheless, he completes the lap, posting 1:26.964.

Next out is Tiago Monteiro, who has been looking quite good in the new Jordan EJ15B this weekend. At the first split the Portuguese driver posts 27.053, surprisingly he's down on Albers. At the second split it's 56.162, followed by a 1:24.666 at the line. He goes fifth, but the pace is disappointing.

Next out is Karthikeyan, who crashed heavily this morning. At the first split the Indian posts 27.087, followed by a 56.637 at the second split. In a car which the team has only just finished re-building, following this morning's crash, he posts 1:25.859, which puts him six, 1.2s down on his teammate.

Robert Doornbos completes the first sector in 27.042, he's 0.5s down on Michael. At the second split the Dutchman posts 56.176, followed by a 1:24.904, which puts him ahead of Karthikeyan and Albers. A good, committed lap.

Ralf Schumacher is next out. At the first split the German posts 26.583, he's 0.044s down on his brother. At the second split it's 54.794, he's now 0.378s shy of the Ferrari. At the line the Toyota star posts 1:22.266, which puts him second.

Last out before the second break is Jacques Villeneuve in the second Sauber. At the first split the former champion posts 26.625, he's down on Schumacher, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 54.767, he's now 0.351s down on his former nemesis. At the line it's 1:22.356, which puts him third. A superb lap, which clearly demonstrates that JV still has it, despite what his critics might say.