Ahead of the first of today's free practice sessions, the air temperature is 15 degrees C, while the track temperature is 16 degrees C.

There has been heavy overnight rain which has left the track quite damp, much like yesterday's first session. There are clouds in the distance, but for the moment the sun is shining, though on the far side of the circuit it is a little misty.

First out is Monza winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, followed by Albers, Klien, Villeneuve, Raikkonen and Coulthard.

Villeneuve goes off but is able to continue, he cautiously makes his way back to the pits.

Klien, whose teammate Liuzzi crashed out yesterday, stays out and completes two installation laps before returning to the pits.

Eight minutes into the session, Michael Schumacher leaves the Ferrari garage, it is particularly misty as he makes the long climb up the hill to Les Combes.

As the German returns to his garage, teammate, Rubens Barrichello leaves.

Jenson Button goes out, as does Juan Pablo Montoya, the Colombian hopefully to post the first time of the day.

Twenty-three minutes into the session, and no times on the timesheets, Coulthard is back on track, as is Michael Schumacher. There are still damp patches, particularly at Blanchimont.

The German returns to his garage, but the Red Bull driver stays out. The Scot crosses the line at 1:57.519, as teammate, Christian Klien, begins his first flying lap.

The Austrian goes quickest (57.048) as DC locks up at La Source. As Ralf Schumacher leaves the Toyota garage, Coulthard raises the benchmark with a 1:55.618. Sato and Pizzonia are on track also.

Klien improves yet again (55.323), as Ralf lifts off through Eau Rouge, the German clearly not confident at this stage.

Coulthard improves yet again (54.255) as Trulli leaves the Toyota garage.

Klien goes quickest (53.380) as Ralf goes second (53.716). Elsewhere, Michael, Button and the two Jordan drivers are on track.

Sato goes second (53.467), but moments later it is the reigning World Champion who takes the top spot, crossing the line at 1:52.069. Almost instantly he is out-paced by his brother (51.973).

One of the Saubers (Massa) spins and almost takes out Alonso. As the come to the end of the lap, the Spaniard slows in order to give himself some breathing space.

Michael goes quickest (51.078), but once again is instantly knocked off the top spot, this time by Button (50.616).

Juan Pablo Montoya goes third (51.368) ahead of Ralf, Pizzonia, Sato and Coulthard.

Sato improves to third (50.750), as Juan Pablo goes quickest, crossing the line at 1:49.972. Fisichella goes sixth (51.902).

On his first flying lap, Raikkonen goes fifth (50.871), as Webber takes seventh spot (51.309).

A 1:49.337 sees Fernando Alonso go quickest, the Spaniard clearly keen to wrap up the championship this weekend.

With three minutes remaining, the only driver that hasn't posted a time is Barrichello.

As Fisichella goes third (50.090), his teammate consolidates the top spot with a 1:49.286. Moments later however, it is Fisi who goes quickest (49.147), giving Renault 1-2.

It's not settled yet, Raikkonen goes quickest with a 1:48.658), as Michael goes quickest in the second sector.

The German improves to fifth (49.520), as Raikkonen goes even quicker, crossing the line at 1:48.125. Just to make sure, Montoya goes second with a 1:48.156. McLaren 1-2, Renault 3-4.

The session ends with Raikkonen quickest, ahead of Montoya, Fisichella, Alonso, Michael, Button, Webber, Coulthard, Ralf and Pizzonia.