Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 40 degrees. It remains bright and sunny.

Though Ferrari finished first and second in this morning's free practice session, it remains to be seen whether the Maranello outfit has made a genuine step forward this weekend, or whether it is playing games, as has been suggested. Though it has been working flat-out over the break since Bahrain, like its rival teams, with no on-track testing allowed, many remain sceptical that the changes made will be significant straight-out-of-the box.

BMW also appears to have taken a step forward, however, the German team's progress will not have been helped by Heidfeld's unnecessary of this morning.

McLaren also appear to have made progress, however, on the surface this doesn't seem to match that of Ferrari and BMW, with the Woking car still looking to be a bit of a handful.

Therefore, still to be entirely convinced by the big guns, it appears that Brawn and Red Bull have the edge, with Toyota close behind.

Renault is another team eager to take a step forward, and while the French outfit hasn't impressed thus far this weekend, never write off Fernando Alonso, particularly when performing in front of his adoring public.

As for tyres, the two options available this weekend are hard and soft, however, with drivers appearing desperate to save as many softs as possible for this session and tomorrow's race, it has been hard to get a good idea of the difference between the two.

In much the same way, while we might expect Ferrari and BMW higher up the timesheets this afternoon, the real proof of progress made will come tomorrow.

When the lights go green it is Sutil who is first out of the box, joined, a few seconds later, by Fisichella and Kovalainen, the Finn making a very early appearance.

Sutil's 23.544 is better than Kovalainen's 23.718, as Heidfeld and Piquet head down the pitlane. However, Sutil is on softs as opposed to the Finn who is on hards.

Piquet goes third, only to be demoted by Heidfeld who goes quickest with a 23.375. The BMW crew has done well to rebuild the front-left of Heidfeld's F1.09 in the last couple of hours.

Piquet goes quickest (22.852) but is eclipsed by Heidfeld and then Trulli, who crosses the line at 22.369. A 22.500 puts Glock second, a Toyota 1-2.

As the Ferraris leave the pits, Vettel goes quickest with a 22.192.

Glock (hard) goes quickest, as Kovalainen gets out of shape in Turns 8/9.

The order is constantly changing, with Buemi and then Vettel displacing Glock.

Raikkonen (hards) posts 21.646 to go third, as teammate Massa (softs) takes second with a 20.759.