Ahead of today's first free practice session for the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 33 degrees. Not for the first time the weather forecasters have got it wrong, it's fairly sunny, with no sign of the predicted rain.

With minutes to go before the session begins, Renault boss, Flavio Briatore, is asked whether Fernando Alonso will push a little harder, now that the drivers' title has been secured. "Now he can have some fun," replies the Italian with a grin.

The lights go green and first out is Sakon Yamamoto in the Jordan, followed by Klien, de la Rosa, Liuzzi, Raikkonen, Coulthard, Zonta, Doornbos, Fisichella, Monteiro, Ralf and Alonso. In fact, with the session just seconds old there are 17 cars on track.

While the rest of the drivers return to their garages, Pedro de la Rosa continues round and posts the first time of the weekend, crossing the line at 1:35.336.

Next time around the Spaniard raises the benchmark with a 1:34.380, as Mark Webber begins his first flying lap, and Takuma Sato leaves the pits to begin his second run.

As de la Rosa posts 1:33.462, Webber goes second with a 1:35.041. Only Michael, Rubens, Juan Pablo and Jarno have yet to make an appearance. Ricardo Zonta goes third (38.651) and Pizzonia fourth (40.978). Both WilliamsF1 drivers are going out early because they had so little running in Brazil, and therefore have some available mileage today.

As Klien goes fourth (37.185), Zonta improves with a 1:36.684. However, he is quickly demoted by Kimi Raikkonen, who posts 1:33.797, to go second. The session is still less than fifteen minutes old… much busier compared to normal Friday free practice.

Raikkonen improves (33.486) but remain second, as Coulthard goes fourth ahead of Pizzonia, Liuzzi and Zonta. Next time around the Scot improves to third (35.019), as teammate Liuzzi goes sixth (36.030) behind Klien.

Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli leave their respective garages, leaving the two Ferrari drivers as the only drivers yet to make an appearance.

de la Rosa goes quickest in the first two sectors, finally crossing the line at 1:32.099, 1.3s quicker than teammate Raikkonen, who is second quickest.

Local hero Takuma Sato goes third with a 1:34.709, while the other Japanese driver (Yamamoto) remains 6.8s off the pace.

Alonso is already 1.4s off the pace when he gets it all wrong at the chicane, cutting right across the green tarmac. This also affects the speed he carries at the beginning of his next lap. Nonetheless, he goes fourth with a 1:33.715, as teammate Fisichella goes second (33.470).

Jenson Button is on track in the BAR. By the second split the Englishman is 0.78s down, however, he crosses the line at 1:33.250, to go third behind Webber, who has just gone second with a 1:33.098.

At 'half-time', it's del a Rosa, Webber, Button, Fisichella, Raikkonen, Alonso, Sato, Coulthard, Zonta and Villeneuve.

Jenson Button improves to second with a 1:32.543, as both Ferrari drivers wait impassively in their cars.

As Alonso goes quickest in the first sector, Kimi Raikkonen pulls off track in the McLaren, his session over. With smoke coming from the back of the car it seems pretty obvious that, once again, Mercedes has let him down. This will be damaging for the Woking team's title hopes.

Elsewhere, Takuma Sato enjoyed third spot for a brief moment, before being demoted by Alonso. Meanwhile, both Ferraris take to the track.

Webber also appears to have a problem, the Australian is cruising back to the pits. The WilliamsF1 driver was having a good session up until that point.

A 1:32.370 sees Alonso go second, as former teammate, Jarno Trulli, goes eleventh (34.535).

Moments later the Italian is demoted by Michael Schumacher, who posts 1:33.886 on his first flying lap.

A 1:32.043 sees Jenson Button go quickest, though the BAR driver was only quickest in the second sector.

Rubens Barrichello goes twelfth (34.213), right behind his Ferrari teammate.

With fifteen minutes remaining, it's: Button, de la Rosa, Alonso, Fisichella, Sato, Webber, Montoya, Liuzzi, Raikkonen and Pizzonia.

Pedro de la Rosa goes quickest in the first sector, giving McLaren a little lift, however, it's Zonta that takes the top spot, the Brazilian posting 1:31.075. That said, moments later Pedro crosses the line at 1:30.532 to go quickest. Elsewhere, Coulthard goes fourth (32.229).