Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41. Humidity is 57% and while there is talk of rain before the end of the session, this seems unlikely.

Based on the evidence thus far, today and indeed tomorrow should be a stroll for the Red Bull duo which enjoys a clear advantage over its rivals. Much of this is thought to be due to the controversial flexing front wing, which, although deemed legal by the FIA, is under close scrutiny from the Austrian team's rivals.

Ferrari has its own version of the wing, and although this allowed the Maranello team to close the gap yesterday, both drivers were over a second off Webber's pace this morning.

While the McLaren duo talks of damage limitation, Renault has done well to get both Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov into the Top Seven.

Williams is thereabouts, as is Sauber, while Mercedes continues to struggle in its attempt to keep pace with the 'big three'. Force India - looking forward to Spa and Monza - is locked in battle with Toro Rosso, while Virgin is closing the gap to Lotus, or so it appears.

Tyre options are medium (prime) and super-soft (option), though there has been little difference between the two thus far this weekend.

When the lights go green for Q1, Petrov is first out, the Russian looking very good here this weekend. Then again, he needs to impress, what with as many as seven drivers being linked with his seat for next season.

The Russian crosses the line at 1:23.386 to post the benchmark, as all but Massa and Buemi are on track. Traffic could well be a problem in Q2, and some predict that we could see one or two big names fail to make the cut as a result.

Kubica goes second with a 27.680 but then Webber posts 22.786 only to be eclipsed by Petrov who crosses the line at 22.713.

On his first flying lap, Vettel goes quickest with a 21.360 ahead of his teammate, Kubica and Petrov. Moment later however, Rosberg splits the two Renaults with a 22.387.

Alonso, having gone quickest in S1, crosses the line at 21.672 to go second however, Hamilton goes quickest in the first sector of his first flying lap. Despite a mistake in S2 the Englishman posts 21.549 to go second.

No sooner has Barrichello gone second with a 21.478 then he is demoted by Webber who raises the benchmark with a 21.132. No sign of the option tyres yet.

Massa goes fifth (21.638) as Alonso goes quickest in the first sector. However, a poor final sector sees the Spaniard fail to improve.

Vettel - still on the prime tyre - posts a 20.417, a time which sure to see the opposition's heart sink.

With 6:10 remaining, it's Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Massa, Barrichello and Hamilton.