Ahead of qualifying, the air temperature is 21 degrees C, and the track temperature is 36 degrees.

For much of the weekend it's been McLaren v Ferrari, however, Robert Kubica was right up there in this morning's free practice session. BMW would very much like a podium - at the very least - in their home race.

When the lights go green, Wurz in one of the first out, along with Sutil and Winkelhock.

As the Austrian posts 1:33.049, Hamilton leaves the pits. Sutil, predictably goes second, ahead of Winkelhock.

Rosberg goes second, but Kovalainen is already on a hot lap. Fisichella takes third, as his teammate can only manage sixth, the Finn having lost loads of time in the final sector.

Schumacher goes quickest overall, but Hamilton is already on a hot lap, as is Takuma Sato. The Japanese driver fleetingly holds the top spot, before being demoted by Hamilton, who crosses the line at 31.587.

Sadly, the timing screens are having a hissy fit, and are running behind the live picture.. Nonetheless, Barrichello goes second ahead of Trulli.

Alonso goes quickest in the first sector, as Heidfeld goes second quickest overall. Alonso crosses the line at 1:31.074 to take the top spot, ahead of Raikkonen, as Massa starts his flying lap.

The Brazilian is quickest in the first sector, finally crossing the line at 31.447, to take second from his teammate.

With three minutes remaining, Coulthard, Button and Rosberg are still in the drop zone, along with the Spykers and Liuzzi.

Coulthard looks to have failed at the first hurdle, the Scot not appearing to have left himself enough time for a final run.

Winkelhock gets all out of shape, as Rosberg and Button look set to improve.

Webber goes eighth, and Davidson thirteenth, while Rosberg goes seventh. However, it's bad news for Button, who like Coulthard, appears to have missed the cut.

At the end of the first phase we lose Winkelhock, Sutil, Coulthard, Liuzzi, Speed and Button.

Quickest was Alonso, ahead of Massa, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Heidfeld, Kubica, Rosberg, Wurz, Fisichella and Trulli.

Interesting to note that both Super Aguris made the cut, though that will come as little consolation to Jenson Button.

The second phase begins, but as is often the case nobody seems too eager to get to work. Indeed, it is almost four minutes before the first engine bursts into life. It's Jarno Trulli's Toyota.