Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. Following yesterday's deluge, it is much better today, with blue skies and bright sunshine. That said, rain is still forecast for Sunday's race.

The big news is that Giancarlo Fisichella has had the engine changes in his Renault, which will hinder the French team's chances in its fight for the Constructors' Championship with McLaren.

With no retirements at Monza, there are no surprises today, with no 'big guns' going out with the Jordans and Minardis.

First out is Narain Karthikeyan, who will be followed by Albers, Doornbos, Monteiro and Sato. Last out will be Monza winner, Juan Pablo Montoya.

At 13:00 precisely, Narain Karthikeyan, making his qualifying debut in the EJ15B, heads off down the pitlane, the session is underway.

At the first split the Jordan driver posts 30.219, followed by a 1:20.300 at the second. The car is a little twitchy, though there was no 'lift off' through Eau roge. He crosses the line at 1:51.675.

Christijan Albers completes the first sector in 29.537, he's already 0.59s up on Karthikeyan. At the second split it's 1:19.248, he's now over a second to the good. At the line the Minardi driver posts 1:49.842.

Minardi number two, Robert Doornbos, is next up. The driver completes the first sector in 29.623, he's down on his teammate, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 1:18.840, he's now 0.407s up on Albers. At the line it's 1:49.779, an excellent lap.

Tiago Monteiro is on track in the second EJ15B. At the first split the Portuguese driver posts 30.039, he's already 0.3s down, but up on his teammate. At the second split it's 1:20.322, he's now 1.4s down on the Minardi. At the line it's 1:15.498, which puts him third, behind the Minardis.

Next out is Takuma Sato in the BAR, who should significantly raise the benchmark. At the first split the Japanese driver posts 29.626, he's 0.003s down on Doornbos. At the second split Takuma posts 1:17.912, he's now 0.928s up on the Minardi. At the line it's 1:48.353, he takes provisional pole by 1.426.

Next out is David Coulthard, who had a miserable race in Italy, spending much of the day battling with Mark Webber, following a first lap incident. At the first split the Scot posts 29.533, he's 0.093s up on Sato, however the Japanese driver had a poor first sector. At the second split it's 1:18.114, he's now 0.2s down on the BAR driver. At the line it's 1:48.508, which puts him second.

Mark Webber is on track in the WilliamsF1. At the first split the Australian posts 29.459, he's 0.167s up on Sato. At the second split it's 1:17.630, he maintains a 0.2s 'lead'. At the line it's 1:48.071, provisional pole by 0.282.

Red Bull's Christian Klien is next out. At the first split the Austrian posts 29.575, which puts him 0.116s down on Webber. At the second split the former Jaguar driver posts 1:18.414, he's 0.784s off the pace, and also 0.3s down on his teammate. At the line it's 1:48.994, good enough for fourth.