Ahead of today's race, the talks isn't so much about the weather or even Nico Hulkenberg's astounding effort in qualifying. Instead, what everyone is talking about is the armed attack on Jenson Button last night and a subsequent similar attack on members of the Sauber team.

Would it be politically incorrect to suggest that this is why Formula One will never return to Aintree in Liverpool?

Over the years a number of teams have fallen foul of the local bandits however, one would hope that last night's incidents will result in better policing rather than Interlagos being dropped from the calendar in favour of the newer, safer, more sterile locations that Bernie appears to prefer.

Looking ahead to today, it would be totally wrong not to take the opportunity to heap further praise on 'The Hulk's' superb effort yesterday. To take pole from the likes of Vettel, Webber and Hamilton, and by over a second, is quite an achievement.

One would hope that his effort might go some way to the Grove outfit retaining the youngster for a second season indeed, one would hope that Sir Frank will retain his current line-up. Rubens Barrichello has proved that he is still more than capable of mixing it with the best of them, and, more importantly, bringing his car home in the points, while Nico has finally shown the spirit we'd previously witnessed in Formula BMW, the F3 Euroseries, GP" and, of course, that epic season in A1 GP.

Anyway, talking of banditry, it will be interesting to see if Vettel, Webber or Hamilton can steal a win today or whether Alonso's engine - and those of the Red Bull drivers - are bullet proof.

No disrespect intended, but Hulkenberg is unlikely to play a huge part in today's race - not unless the occasion gets the better of him and he should be involved in some first corner shenanigans. Hero to zero in a few hundred metres… it would be the first time.

With a dry race expected, and Alonso starting from fifth, the Red Bulls will have the advantage though Vettel starts from the dirty side. Hamilton will give his best, as ever, but his grid position is more about the weather conditions yesterday, allied with the Englishman's 'never-say-die approach, rather than a step forward by his team.

With an 11 point advantage, Alonso doesn't need to win today - a lesson Webber should have learned in Korea. That said, he might want to wrap it up in order that he can actually relax a little in Abu Dhabi next week.

While both Williams drivers should add handsomely to their team's tally, so to should Kubica and maybe even Petrov, providing the Russian can keep out of trouble. Then again, and talking of trouble, it should be fun to watch Kobayashi, Button and Rosberg battling in the early stages of the race.

The title can be decided today but we very much doubt it. Indeed, in the wake of yesterday's extraordinary session, we have this gut feeling that Interlagos has a few more surprises in store.

Half an hour before the start, Bob Constanduros texts: "Very sunny, track temperature 47, ambient 24 and 595 (sic) humidity. Quite a high track temperature that... everyone on softs except Petrov who has a choice unlike the others…" Bob's, of course, is referring to the fact that the Russian posted his best Q3 time on intermediates and can therefore choose what tyre he will start on medium (prime) or super-soft (option).