As we await the start of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 30 degrees C, while the track temperature is 46 degrees. It is bright and sunny.

Kimi Raikkonen has been the pace-setter in every session thus far, but can he dominate now, when it really matters?

The lights go green and first man out on track is Kimi Raikkonen, who had a hydraulics problem at the end of this morning's free practice session. Trulli, Sutil, Yamamoto and Kovalainen are also on track.

While Raikkonen returns to the pits, having probably simply opted for a systems check, Yamamoto sets the benchmark time, 1:40.285. Which isn't much of a benchmark. Moments later Kovalainen posts 37.810.

As Hamilton leaves the pits, Rosberg goes quickest, ahead of Schumacher and Davidson. However, moments later it is Webber who claims the top spot.

At the first split Hamilton is 0.577s up on Webber, while by the second split he's 0.967s up on the Red Bull driver. At the line the World Championship leader posts 1:35.798, the quickest lap of the weekend thus far.

Vettel momentarily goes second before being bumped down by Kubica. However, all eyes are on Massa, who goes quickest in the second sector. As Alonso goes second (35.809), Massa crosses the line at 35.792 to go quickest, by 0.006s.

With less than five minutes remaining, Raikkonen heads down the pitlane. Kovalainen and Trulli are still in the danger zone, with Wurz and Button only just above them.

Raikkonen begins his first flying lap, and by the end of the first sector he's 0.063s up on his teammate. At the second split he's 0.237s to the good, finally crossing the line at 35.692, going quickest by 0.100s.

While the top five, which includes Kubica, settle for what they've already done, the remaining drivers are all on track. Barrichello goes twelfth, which should be enough, but one never knows.

Wurz goes eleventh, as Barrichello improves again, however, Sato fails to improve. Schumacher goes eleventh, which pushes Fisichella down to eighteenth, therefore the Renault veteran misses the cut.

Out at the first hurdle are, Yamamoto, Sutil, Sato, Wurz, Fisichella and Barrichello.

Quickest was Raikkonen, ahead of Massa, Hamilton, Alonso, Kubica, Heidfeld, Coulthard, Vettel, Liuzzi and Button.

Neither Fisichella nor Wurz have done their job prospects for 2008 much good here today.

The second phase gets underway, but as is often the case there is no rush to get out on track.