Ahead of today's first free practice session the air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. It's extremely cloudy but from time to time the sun manages to break through.

The big news, just in case you aren't already aware, is that, acting on the FIA's 'advice', Super Aguri has dropped Yuji Ide in favour of Franck Montagny. The Japanese driver will play no further part in this weekend's proceedings.

The lights go green, and first out is Sutil, followed by Kubica, Sato, Doornbos, Wurz, Davidson and Neel Jani. Monteiro, Montagny, Speed and Albers are also keen to get to work.

Davidson posts the first time of the day (1:36.801), trimming this down to 36.634 next time around.

Alexander Wurz goes second (36.719), ahead of Doornbos, Kubica and Sutil, as Montagny goes off after a major lock-up.

As Wurz goes fastest in the second sector, Doornbos consolidates third spot. Montagny is really struggling with the Super Aguri, as Wurz goes quickest (36.405).

As Doornbos takes second in the Red Bull (35.465), and Kubica goes third, Davidson improves with a 1:34.730. Sato is seventh (39.645) ahead of Montagny (41.469).

Montagny persists, and even though he is clearly struggling with the SA05, slowly closes in on his teammate's time.

Kubica goes second with a 1:35.203, as Kimi Raikkonen leaves the McLaren garage. Montagny closes to within 0.152s of Sato.

With 35 minutes remaining, Ralf Schumacher and Fernando Alonso head off down the pitlane.

Davidson and Doornbos are both setting a hard pace, however, it is the Dutchman who goes quickest, crossing the line at 1:34.613. Trulli and Fisichella are two of the other 'big guns' who have completed installation laps.

Robert Kubica goes quickest with a 1:33.995, as Davidson goes quickest in the first and second sectors. The Englishman crosses the line at 1:33.591 to take the top spot. Elsewhere, Sato is back on track, steadily improving his time.

A 1:33.501 sees Doornbos go quickest, just 0.090s up on Davidson.

With twenty minutes remaining, only 8 drivers have posted times.

As Kubica re-takes the top spot, Juan Pablo Montoya heads off down the pitlane. Wurz goes quickest in the first sector, and then again in the second. The Austrian finally crosses the line at 1:32.079 to go quickest.

Ralf Schumacher is back on track, as is Alonso. Jenson Button makes his first appearance of the day, as does Klien.

Button goes fifth (35.557), as Michael Schumacher climbs into his Ferrari. Meanwhile, as Ralf Schumacher goes eighth, Montagny outpaces his teammate by 0.03s.

Six minutes remaining and Barrichello is on track, as is David Coulthard. Ralf Schumacher goes sixth, slotting in behind Button, as Michael leaves the Ferrari garage.

Kimi goes sixth (34.602), as Michael continues round to post his first, and probably only, time of the day. The German crosses the line at 1:33.472, which puts him fifth, ahead of Button, Barrichello, Raikkonen and Ralf. The Finn having had a massive lock-up on his previous lap.

Michael improves (32.858) to fourth, as Sato leapfrogs his French teammate.

The session ends with Wurz quickest, ahead of Davidson, Kubica, Michael, Doornbos, Button, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Ralf and Sutil. Only 16 drivers posted times.