Ahead of the first free practice session of what can only be described as a momentous weekend for Formula One - being that the sport is about to hold its first night event - the air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 30 degrees. It is dry, with humidity nudging 69 per cent. And let's not forget that it is almost seven-o-clock in the evening.

The big news, other an alleged 'bomb scare' in the BMW garage last night, is that, following complains from a number of drivers, race organizers, under instructions from the FIA, have altered the kerbs at Turn 10.

The lights go green, and as ever the Force Indias lead the way. We're heading into the unknown here, because prior to this session nobody has driven the track in anger, not at any level of motorsport, unlike Valencia.

Rosberg talks to his crew on his exploratory lap, the German complaining of "lots of bottoming". Indeed, the track is notably bumpy. "Visibility is no problem," he adds, "just a slight glare from the lights, but no problem".

While the lighting is good, it looks odd, furthermore, the sound is odd, something just doesn't feel right. Still, early days.

Six minutes into the session, everyone has been out barring the two Ferraris.

Race Control announces that there is a "small amount of water at Turn 1", as the camera cuts to three or four small 'streams - for want of a better word - running across the track.

As the Toro Rosso crew prepare to adjust Bourdais' car to better suit the bumpy conditions, the Frenchman says; "millimetres won't be enough boys, we're talking big!"

The incorrigible Flavio Briatore sports a headband with a small light on it, the Italian grinning like a schoolboy.

Thirteen minutes into the session, Button, Bourdais and Glock are back on track. As they lap, it is noticeable that fans and professionals are using flashes on their cameras, could this prove to be an unseen problem?

Button has the honour (?) of posting the first lap time, the Honda driver crossing the line at 1:59.967. Moments later, Glock posts 52.618.

Monza hero Sebastian Vettel is the fifth driver to post a time, the Toro Rosso maestro completing the 5.067 km lap in 57.566 to go fourth.

Bourdais improves to second with a 53.276, but Glock continues to top the timesheets, having improved to 49.942. Elsewhere, Raikkonen is on track.

Nakajima complains that the worst parts for bottoming are from Turns 5 to 7, subsequently admitting that it is "bumpy everywhere, especially in the braking points".

Raikkonen begins his first flying lap, with Trulli running close behind. By the second split the Finn is over 3s down on Glock, crossing the line over 6s off the pace.

As Bourdais closes to within 1.139s of Glock's time, Fisichella cuts the chicane. In the Ferrari garage, Jean Todt watches as Raikkonen closes to within 2.253s of the pace-setting Toyota driver.

Trulli goes second (49.925) as former teammate Fernando Alonso goes third with a 49.985). Massa heads down the pitlane as Coulthard makes use of one of the wide run-offs.

The Scotsman's teammate, Mark Webber, isn't so fortunate, his session comes to an end when he clouts the barriers heading under the bridge. Team boss Christian Horner looks less than impressed, however, the replay clearly demonstrates that at certain corners - as in Monaco - if you get it wrong you pay the price.

As a crane is brought on to the track to remove the stricken car the digital flags are yellow, the session isn't stopped.

Glock has raised the benchmark yet again, the German posting 48.155.

Massa, having gone sixteenth on his first lap with a 55.286, remains sixteenth next time around, despite improving his time (55.179).

A 48.744 sees Rosberg go second, as Felipe Massa lightly brushes the barrier where Webber came to grief.

Kubica goes second and Heidfeld fifth, as BMW is quick to get to grips with the Singapore track. After thirty-seven minutes only the McLaren drivers haven't posted a time.

As Alonso takes the top spot with a 47.344, Kovalainen and Hamilton head down the pitlane.

Massa goes third (48.120), ahead of Glock, Rosberg and Button.