Ahead of today's all-important qualifying session, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. It's bright but there's little sunshine.

With ten minutes to go before the session gets underway, World Champion elect, Fernando Alonso, is signing autographs for a crew member - they could well increase in value over the next 24-hours.

While his son is contesting the inaugural A1 GP event at Brands Hatch in England, up against the son of another former F1 legend, Niki Lauda is interviewing Flavio Briatore, who still insists that there will be no parties until the season is over, even if Fernando does wrap up the title tomorrow.

First out today will be Giancarlo Fisichella, who was the first retirement in Belgium - we say retirement, whereas he crashed heavily, causing the safety car to be brought out. 'Fisi' will be followed by Takuma Sato and Michael Schumacher who enjoyed their own 'little moment' at Spa. David Coulthard and Jarno Trulli are fourth and fifth out.

It's been pretty evenly matched between Renault and McLaren thus far this weekend, with the French team promising to go for 'the win'.

Fisichella begins his lap, completing the first sector in 18.422. The French team is running its much-anticipated new aero package here this weekend. At the second split it's 55.531, followed by a 1:12.558 at the line. On the pit-wall, Flavio Briatore appears satisfied.

Takuma Sato drives straight into the pits, having failed to post a time. In addition to a ten spot penalty for the Spa incident, the hapless Japanese driver has had an engine change - another penalty - hence to aborted lap.

Consequently, Michael Schumacher is harried out of the Ferrari garage. At the first split the German posts 18.339, he's up on Fisichella. At the second split it's 55.706, as he falls 0.175s behind the Renault. At the line it's 1:12.976, he's 0.418s down on the Renault.

David Coulthard is on track in the Red Bull. At the first split it's 18.812, followed by a 56.454 at the second, the car looks very unstable. At the line it's 1:13.844, 1.2s off Fisichella's pace.

Last out before the break is Jarno Trulli, who has also had an engine change following another problem with the pneumatics valve system. At the first split it's 18.573, followed by a 55.757 at the second. At the line the Italian posts 1:13.041, which puts him third.

At the first break it's: Fisichella, Michael, Trulli, Coulthard and Sato.

Antonio Pizzonia is on track in the WilliamsF1, replacing Nick Heidfeld for the third consecutive race. The Brazilian completes the first sector in 18.587, he's already 0.165s off the pace. At the second split it's 56.392, he's now 0.861s down. At the line it's 1:13.581, which puts him fourth.

Juan Pablo Montoya is next out in the McLaren - he was involved in an incident with Pizzonia at spa. At the first split it's 18.323, he's quickest, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 55.122, he's 0.409s up on Fisichella. He crosses the line at 1:12.145 to take provisional pole. A great hard driven lap.

At the first split Robert Doornbos posts 19.149, however he loses the rear end at Mergulho and slides off across the tarmac.