In case you're not aware - and if you aren't there's no excuse, Pitpass was amongst the first to report it - World Championship leader Fernando Alonso has been given a 2s penalty in each phase of today's qualifying session. In other words, in the first phase he must post a time 2s quicker than the sixteenth driver in order to escape elimination at the first hurdle. Then, should he be successful, he must post a time 2s faster than the tenth driver in second phase… and so on.

To further complicate matters, or to add a little more spice to what is usually a soporific race weekend, Michael Schumacher has been summoned by the stewards after overtaking three cars under a red flag in this morning's session. The championship will go down to the wire, no matter what it takes!

Finally, after a promising race in Germany, it was business as usual for Jenson Button this morning, the Englishman suffering an engine failure which means he will forfeit ten grid places.

Due to the unseasonably cool temperatures, the main concern is tyres, with many drivers complaining of graining. To add the fun, the 'experts' are still predicting rain for tomorrow.

Just minutes before the session gets underway, it is announced that Michael Schumacher is also to get a 2s penalty. Now we're not saying that the German doesn't deserve a penalty, but 2s, like Alonso, at a track where overtaking is nigh impossible - unless your name is Mansell. The whole thing stinks, by hook or by crook the powers that be will ensure we get a race, and a down to the wire title fight.

Farcical. Anyone who though Turk Thrust was in the mind of Mike Lawrence should think again… the Formula One Script Unit is at work.

Anyway, the air temperature is 23 degrees C, while the track temperature is 33 degrees.

First out is Ralf, followed by Webber, Rosberg and Barrichello. Ralf sets the benchmark, crossing the line at 24.231, Webber goes second and Rosberg third.

Hold the front page, Sakon Yamamoto goes quickest, the Super Aguri driver posting 1:24.016, could he qualify ahead of Michael and Alonso?

As Barrichello goes quickest (23.251), Alonso heads down the pitlane.

Coulthard goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. As the Scot crosses the line to go quickest (22.152), his teammate goes quickest in the second sector. It's a Red Bull 1-2 as Klien goes quickest with a 1:22.147.

All eyes on Alonso who goes quickest in the first two sectors, finally crossing the line at 1:20.420, which, with the penalty, puts him fifth.

Kimi Raikkonen is on track, and quickest in the first sector, as teammate de la Rosa goes second. The Finn is quickest in the second sector, crossing the line at 1:20.080, to go quickest.