Ahead of today's sole practice session, the air temperature is 21 degrees C, while the track temperature is 25 degrees.

Fernando Alonso - a winner here in 2006 and 2007 - was quickest in both of Thursday's sessions, with the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher in the Top 5. The McLarens were seventh and ninth overall but both Hamilton and Button appear confident. A good outside bet has to be Robert Kubica who continues to impress in the Renault.

The big question mark today, certainly as we look ahead to qualifying, is traffic. At the best of times Monaco is a tight squeeze, however, with two extra teams this year Q1 could see some big surprises in terms of drivers failing to make the cut.

Tyre compounds this weekend are medium (prime) and super-soft (option).

Earlier in the week it was widely forecast that there would be rain this weekend, and while Thursday's GP2 qualifying took place in atrocious conditions the outlook now is for sunshine and blue skies today and tomorrow. That said, the Principality enjoys a micro-climate which can - and often does - see conditions change without warning.

The lights go green and the Renaults of Petrov and Kubica lead the way, followed by Sutil, Trulli, Kobayashi, Buemi, Kovalainen, Hulkenberg and a whole load of others including Felipe Massa.

Five minutes into the session all but the McLarens, Mercedes and Red Bulls have been out.

Ten minutes into the session, Alguersuari is the first driver to come out for a second run, the Toro Rosso followed by Schumacher and Vettel.

Alguersuari posts the first time of the day, the Spaniard crossing the line at 1:19.939. However, moments later Schumacher posts 18.743 and Vettel 19.332. Rosberg and Webber have still to make an appearance.

Glock's session is over before it's begun the German taking his Virgin down the escape road at the Nouvelle Chicane after what appeared to be some sort of mechanical problem.

Alguersuari retakes the top spot with a 17.526 as Kobayashi goes third ahead of his Sauber teammate and Vettel. Schumacher posts 16.892 to go quickest but is almost instantly demoted by Vettel who crosses the timing beam at 16.577. Elsewhere, Webber and Rosberg finally head down the pitlane.

Vettel consolidates his top spot with a 16.383 only to be leapfrogged by Thursday's man Alonso, who crosses the line at 16.266. Massa goes fifth (17.164) and Button eleventh (18.498).

No sooner has Massa made it a Ferrari 1-2 with a 16.279 than Alonso goes into the barriers at the top of the hill at the entry to Casino. The Spaniard is fine but that is more than can be said of the car which is badly damaged. In the Ferrari garage the mechanic, who know they have a race against time on their hands, look on in frustration. The car will not be returned until the session is over and the track cleared, which give the Maranello outfit less than two hours in which to get the F10 repaired.

Robert Kubica goes quickest with a 16.064, however, Massa is on a hot lap having gone quickest in the first sector. Unfortunately, the Brazilian loses time behind former teammate Michael Schumacher in the final sector and dives into the pits.

As Hamilton goes quickest in the first sector, Kubica consolidates his top spot with a 15.847. Webber is fourth, ahead of Button and Vettel.

Hamilton crosses the line at 15.821 to go quickest as Schumacher gets out of shape at Mirabeau and has to head down the escape road. The German subsequently tells his crew that the brake balance is wrong.

Kubica retakes the top spot with a 15.204 bang on half-time, as Hamilton consolidates second ahead of Schumacher, Alonso, Massa, Webber, Button, Vettel, Buemi and Alguersuari. A dejected Alonso walks back to the pits.

Sutil spin 180 degrees in Casino Square lightly bashing the barriers with his rear wing, while Alonso admits that his accident was down to driver error.

Vettel goes quickest in the second and third sectors, crossing the line at 15.564 to go second, 0.060s off Kubica's time.

Petrov does well not to go into the back of di Grassi at the Nouvelle Chicane, the Brazilian having braked remarkably early.