Ahead of the opening free practice session of the French Grand Prix weekend, the air temperature is 18 degrees C, and the track temperature is 22 degrees. It is bright and sunny.

The lights go green and first out is Fisichella, followed, around a minute later, by Vettel. One-by-one drivers take to the track for the obligatory installation lap. Among those, eager to get out on track is Heikki Kovalainen, one of several drivers who needs a good result this weekend.

Ten minutes into the session, Jarno Trulli heads down the pitlane, leaving the Ferrari duo as the only drivers yet to emerge.

The session drags on, with absolutely nothing happening. Maybe the drivers are already on strike!

The German contingent were up late watching the football last night, however, that doesn't explain why nobody else is keen to get to work. There is total silence, all one can hear is the tinkle of cowbells from the fields in the distance.

Finally, twenty-four minutes into the session, an engine fires up, and Nico Rosberg heads down the pitlane. The German posts the first time of the weekend, crossing the line at 1:19.217. Vettel, Nakajima, Piquet and Bourdais are also on track.

As Rosberg improves to 18.331, Bourdais goes second, ahead of Nakajima, Vettel and Piquet. The Japanese driver is very aggressive in the chicanes.

Vettel raises the benchmark with a 16.838, as Trulli goers second, ahead of Piquet, Glock and Coulthard.

On his first flying lap, Kovalainen goes fourth (17.572), as the Ferraris head down the pitlane. Next time around, the Finn goes quickest, breaking the timing beam at 16.552. However, moments later, Massa posts 16.519. Elsewhere, Raikkonen goes quickest in the first sector. The World Champion is quickest in the second sector also, but loses a heap of time in the final sector, and can therefore only manage third (16.612).

A 16.055 sees Kovalainen re-take the top spot, as teammate Hamilton goes fourth with a 16.738.

Next time around, Hamilton goes quickest (16.002), to make it a McLaren 1-2 ahead of a Ferrari 3-4. Alonso goes fifth, ahead of Vettel, Coulthard, Trulli, Barrichello and Piquet.

Montreal winner Robert Kubica goes sixth (16.571), as Webber complains of crosswinds on the back straight. Elsewhere, Piquet makes full use of the wide tarmac run-offs.

Alonso complains of understeer in Turn 3, and oversteer in Turn 11. There's just no pleasing some people. As if to prove the point, the Spaniard is leapfrogged (on the timesheets) by Kubica.

With twenty-nine minutes remaining, Massa goes quickest, the Brazilian posting 15.896. Meanwhile, Kubica complains of graining. Meanwhile, both McLaren drivers appear to be struggling for grip.

The session is over for Sutil, who pulls to the side of the track in the first sector.

The harder they push, the more they struggle, drivers are clearly having grip problems at a number of corners here.

With thirteen minutes remaining, the bottom ten is as follows: Glock is eleventh, ahead of Coulthard, Barrichello, Rosberg, Bourdais, Webber, Button, Nakajima, Fisichella and Sutil.

Ten minutes remaining, and as Hamilton heads down the pitlane, the order is: Massa, Hamilton, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Kubica, Alonso, Trulli, Vettel, Heidfeld and Piquet.

Trulli spins 360 at Chateau d'Eau, as Rosberg complains of "too much rear-wheel locking".

A 15.306 sees Massa consolidate his spot at the top of the timesheets, as all but Button, Bourdais and Sutil are on track. On his next lap, despite going quickest in the second sector, the Brazilian fails to improve.

Oh dear, the session comes to a smoky end for Alonso as his engine detonates. Not an ideal start to the weekend for the home team. Elsewhere, Kovalainen somehow keeps his McLaren out of the wall following a major detour at Estoril.

The session ends with Massa topping the timesheets, ahead of Hamilton, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Kubica, Alonso, Trulli, Vettel, Heidfeld and Glock.

To check out our Magny-Cours practice gallery, click here