Ahead of today's opening free practice session the air temperature is 27 degrees C while the track temperature is 39 degrees. It is bright and sunny, with no sign of the rain that had been forecast.

The lights go green and the 'usual suspects' are first on track, Doornbos, Kubica, Wurz, Mondini, Jani and Davidson.

The Honda test driver is first to post a time, crossing the line at 1:15.397, moments later, goes second with a 1:15.464. Davidson improves (14.659), though the Austrian is 8 kph through the speedtrap (198.838 mph).

It's a dreadful start for 'home boy' Scott Speed, the American's Toro Rosso grinds to a halt at the end of the pitlane. Meanwhile, Davidson's Honda is clearly 'bottoming' on the banked section. That said, the Englishman has lowered the benchmark to 1:13.837.

Montreal's 'man Friday', Robert Kubica, goes second quickest, the BMW driver posting 1:14.239. Elsewhere, Doornbos goes fourth and Mondini fifth.

As Neel Jani begins a flying lap, Kubica improves with a 1:13.925.

As the marshal attempt to push his car back towards the pitlane, Scott Speed returns to his garage, where no doubt "heads will roll".

Kubica takes the top spot with a 1:13.721, ahead of Davidson, Jani, Wurz, Doornbos and Mondini.

While Scott Speed talks to his mechanics, making it quite clears how he feels, further down the pitlane Tiago Monteiro is joking with his crew. The Portuguese driver possibly hoping for another podium result here.

With Renault able to sport its Mild Seven logos this weekend there are no dragons, tigers or anything else… not even a reference to the World Cup.

Davidson goes quickest in the second sector, finally crossing the line at 1:13.154 to take the top spot. Nonetheless, we are still 2.5s off last year's pole time.

At 'half-time', Jarno Trulli leaves the Toyota garage, the fourteenth driver to go out thus far, though only nine have posted times.

We all hold our breath as Ralf Schumacher comes out, the German crash last year was to kick-start a chain of events that finally resulted in the race that never was. It will be remembered that Ralf crashed at virtually the same spot twelve months earlier.

Busiest man thus far is Wurz, who has completed 21 laps, but who remains sixth fastest.

Giancarlo Fisichella is on track as Yamamoto locks up big time. In the paddock, Michael is presented with a customised Germany football shirt - it has 'Schumi' on the back, and a rather strange tassel on the front. The German is in a hurry as he is about to go out on track for his installation lap. - in the corner of the garage one of the monitors is showing the Germany-Argentina game, which is currently 0-0.

As Davidson goes quickest in the first sector, Albers has a big spin, and returns to the pits. Meanwhile, Davidson lowers the benchmark with a 1:12.852.

Fisichella completes another installation lap, and as he heads back into the pits his teammate leaves.

Quickest through the speedtrap is Montagny at 202.567 mph, which makes it clear where Super Aguri is losing out.

With just under thirteen minutes remaining Klien is on track, as is Jani, indeed these are the only two drivers on track.

Raikkonen leaves the pits, followed by Coulthard, meanwhile, Robert Doornbos takes a trip across the grass and the gravel, just about keeping it out of the tyre wall.

As Kimi and DC return to the pits, Button and Montoya leave. Elsewhere, Davidson goes quickest in the first two sectors, finally crossing the line at 1:12.083.

Barrichello and Heidfeld are on track, as Button goes third, the Englishman posting 1:13.368.

With just over five minutes remaining, Michael Schumacher leaves the pits, followed by former Indy 500 winner, Jacques Villeneuve.