Ahead of today's all-important qualifying session, the air temperature is 34 degrees C, while the track temperature is 45 degrees.

Although Lewis Hamilton was quickest in this morning's free practice session, it was Kimi Raikkonen who set the pace yesterday.

Basically, it's going to be McLaren versus Ferrari, with the Italian team keen to make up for last week's set back in Malaysia. BMW is clearly thereabout, with Williams and Toyota keeping a watching eye, though the Japanese team has been a little 'hit-and-miss' here.

The lights go green, and Jenson Button is first out, followed by Coulthard and Rosberg. Meanwhile, Barrichello hears those dreaded words: "we don't want to worry you but…"

It turns out that his engine cover has some "bumps" on it so consequently they change it with the engine cover from the T-car.

Wurz posts the benchmark time, crossing the line at 34.985, Coulthard goes second ahead of Button and Sutil.

The times tumble as Rosberg then Trulli take the top spot. The big guns wait in their garages as Webber goes quickest (34.211), only to be demoted by Liuzzi.

Most drivers are on the harder compound, except for Liuzzi and Davidson, who - as one might expect - goes quickest in the first two sectors. Sure enough, the Englishman takes top spot with a 33.403.

Hamilton and Alonso leave the McLaren garage, followed by Heidfeld.

The Englishman locks up, but still goes quickest in the first sector, despite being on the harder compound. At the line it's 1:32.580 as he takes the top spot on the timesheets. However, Alonso has already gone quickest in the first sector. At the second split however, he's 0.3s down on his teammate. At the line it's 33.049, which is good enough for second.

Massa and Raikkonen both on track, the Brazilian quickest in the first sector. At the line Felipe posts 32.443 to go quickest, however, all eyes are on Raikkonen and Heidfeld.

Heidfeld goes fourth, but is demoted by Raikkonen, who can 'only' manage 33.161.

Rosberg, Wurz, Coulthard and Schumacher still in the 'danger zone'.

Coulthard is lapping very slowly, possibly a problem for the Scot.

Rosberg goes seventh, as Coulthard is pushed into his garage, his day's work at an end.

It's frantic out there, fast and furious, far too close to call as to who's not going to make the cut.

Davidson is definitely safe, having posted a 33.299.

The session ends but there are still fifteen cars on track.