Not for the first time this season, one has to preface a qualifying report with the words… "it would take a brave man…"

However, the fact is that after three practice sessions it is almost impossible to say who - if anyone - has the edge as we go into the final qualifying session of the year.

Sebastian Vettel has topped the timesheets in two of the session and Lewis Hamilton in the third. However, following this morning's surprisingly low key hour we are no closer to knowing who might take pole position for the season finale.

Naturally, all eyes are on the quartet of drivers fighting for the world championship. However, let's not forget that while Red Bull has won the constructors' title behind the Top 5 there is an epic battle between Williams and Force India for sixth and the newbies fighting for tenth. Furthermore, while it is the drivers' title that gets the publicity and kudos it is the teams' championship that decides the prize money.

Also, there are a number of drivers who have yet to secure seats for next season, therefore this is their last real opportunity to make a good impression… or not.

Then again, the main feature is the ongoing battle between Messrs Alonso, Webber, Vettel and Hamilton, the tightest season going into the final round since Aron, Sarti, Stoddard and Barlini headed to Monza for that ill-fated dice on the banking.

And let's face it, what we have this weekend is every bit as much Hollywood as anything John Frankenheimer was able to come up with. Indeed, as we have said before, even Turk Thrust and the Formula One Script Unit would be hard pressed to match the current scenario.

Tyres this weekend - Bridgestone final Grand Prix - are medium (prime) and super-soft (option), and while the softer rubber is clearly faster we didn't see any massive improvements in the final stages of this morning's session. Then again, the amount of dust on the track has hardly helped the drivers in terms of grip.

While there is talk of new components and all manner of speculation as to possible tactics tomorrow - some of them absolutely ludicrous - the best thing is to sit back and watch it all unfold for in many ways this is like one of those murder mysteries in which the director and write have deliberately held something back. You think you know the answer but are also certain that there is yet one more twist in the pipeline.

Whatever happens today or tomorrow this season isn't about one race or even two races it's about a whole season of nineteen races and the four protagonists all deserve their place in the spotlight. Whoever wins - assuming there is no silliness - will be a worthy winner, a true champion.

As Alguersuari and Buemi head down the pitlane to get Q1 under way, the air temperature is 28 degrees C while the track temperature is 33 degrees. Humidity is 49%.

Surprisingly, the McLaren duo are among the first to go out, their rivals at Ferrari and Red Bull opting to watch and wait. Indeed, let's not forget that the Ferrari duo chose to sit out the final minutes of this morning's session.

Alguersuari goes quickest (1:43.428), ahead of Buemi and Glock however, Hulkenberg, Button and then Hamilton (41.245) go quicker. The Ferraris and Red Bulls leave the pits.

A 42.237 sees Heidfeld go third as Button complains of a "massive vibration which is getting bigger and bigger".