Ahead of this morning's opening session, the air temperature is 27 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. It's extremely overcast, with a strong hint of rain in the air.

The big change today, other than the absence of BMW's nose wings, which have been banned by the FIA, on safety grounds, is the debut of the Super Aguri SA06. We also welcome Sakon Yamamoto, who will partner Takuma Sato. It will be interesting to see how the new Super Aguri performs, though it may take a race or two before we see its true pace.

Also, in the minutes before this session gets underway we hear that Jarno Trulli has inked a new three-year deal with Toyota, and that race stewards have declared Renault's 'mass damper' system legal, even though it was banned by the FIA last week.

Ho hum, another day in F1.

The lights go green, and Robert Doornbos is first out, followed by Kubica, Jani, Winkelhock, Davidson, Sato, Wurz and Yamamoto.

Davidson is the first driver to post a time (25.939), but this is instantly beaten by Wurz, who crosses the line at 1:21.285. Both drivers continue, but while Davidson makes minimal improvement (25.042), Wurz gets down to 1:20.405. however, that's 6s off last year's pole winning time, posted by Kimi Raikkonen.

As Davidson finally posts a 'sensible' time (20.206), Wurz improves yet again, this time crossing the line at 1:19.589.

Overhead, the clouds look more and more threatening.

Kubica is on track, minus the nose wings, as is Christijan Albers. The Pole goes third (21.509), ahead of Winkelhock (23.958).

Though they've lost the nose wings, the BMWs have retained the McLaren-style horns either side of the airbox.

Robert Doornbos has a big, big spin at the Parabolica, as Kubica goes second quickest with a 1:19.424.

Despite his 'moment', Doornbos continues, and next time around posts 20.062 to go third, ahead of Davidson, Winkelhock and Jani.

Kubica goes quickest with a 1:18.855, as Jani improves to third (19.513). With almost twenty minutes of the session gone, only ten cars have gone out, and of those only seven have posted times.

As Kubica improves to 18.661, Sato and Yamamoto come out to play.

Davidson produces a 18.084 to go quickest, as the Super Aguris go seventh and eighth, both over 3s off the pace.

Wurz improves (18.379), to go second, splitting Davidson and Kubica, as Doornbos goes quickest in the first sector.

Another lap, another improvement for Wurz, the Austrian getting down to 17.986, further consolidating his top spot.

That said, nose wings or no nose wings, the BMW is quick, very quick, consequently Kubica goes quickest with a 1:17.603.

At half time the order is: Kubica, Wurz, Davidson, Doornbos, Jani, Winkelhock, Sato and Yamamoto.

The Toyota duo leaves the pits, both drivers now confirmed for 2007. BMW racers, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve, are also on track, as is Giancarlo Fisichella.

With just under twenty-four minutes remaining, Fernando Alonso heads down the pitlane, along with Klien and Liuzzi. Meanwhile, Felipe Massa watches the 'action' from the pit-wall, showing no sign of going out in this session.

A 1:17.224 sees Anthony Davidson go quickest, though the Englishman makes copious use of the wide green run offs. Only 8 drivers have posted times, with nineteen minutes remaining.

As Davidson attempts to improve on his previous best, Alexander Wurz produces a 16.387 to re-take the top spot.

Just five cars on track - Wurz, Davidson, Doornbos, Jani and Sato - with fifteen minutes of the session remaining.

Jenson Button leaves the pits, as Michael Schumacher visits Chris Dyer and Ross Brawn on the Ferrari pit-wall to check out the opposition. The German looks extremely relaxed.