Ahead of this afternoon's crucial qualifying session, the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 30 degrees. It remains fairly bright, but with some ominous dark clouds in the distance, while strong winds which could cause problems on the straights.

The lights go green and Nico Rosberg is first out, followed by Glock, Webber, Bourdais and just about everyone else, indeed only Massa isn't on track within the first minute of the session. The reason for their eagerness… heavy rain in the distance.

Nakajima posts the first time of the afternoon, the Williams driver crossing the line at 22.248. Moments later, it is Hamilton who heads the timesheets with a 21.287.

A 21.122 sees Kovalainen go top, as Raikkonen goes second, with so many cars on track (19), it's impossible to keep track of the overall order.

Hamilton goes quickest (20.288), as Alonso goes second, only to be bumped down by Webber, who continues to look good.

Massa goes second with a 20.894, as Heidfeld goes fifth, ahead of Kovalainen, Kubica and Vettel. Raikkonen, who goes quickest in the final sector, takes second from his teammate with a 20.370.

Kovalainen takes the top spot with a 19.957, as Vettel improves to third, the German continuing to impress.

Nico Rosberg can only manage fourteenth, with what looks like a very scrappy Williams. Button, Sutil, Fisichella and Bourdais are all keeping the German company in the 'danger zone' with just under nine minutes remaining.

Kubica improves to fifth with a 20.444, and Coulthard snatches thirteenth, just as the rain begins to fall on the south side of the circuit. Bourdais, manages to improve to fourteenth in the nick of time.

As is so typical here, the rain is falling on one part of the circuit, while the rest is bathed in sunshine.

With four minutes remaining, Barrichello, Rosberg, Button, Sutil and Fisichella are still in the 'danger zone'. The replay shows Nakajima spinning in his efforts to make the cut.

The clock continues ticking, if they're going to make the cut, those drivers in the danger zone have to go out now or accept the fact that they're out. To add to their frustration, fans in the northern part of the track are basking in the sunshine as the rain continues to fall on the south part of the circuit. Bourdais, who is already safe, goes out for a lap, as do Button, Barrichello, Sutil and Fisichella.

Somehow, Bourdais goes quickest in the middle sector, finally crossing the line at 20.584 to go sixth overall. Which makes one wonder why Rosberg didn't go out for another run.

Button fails to make the cut while Fisichella spins at Priory, game over.

The first phase comes to an end and we lose both Hondas, both Force Indias and Rosberg.