Sebastian Vettel no doubt took the wind out of his rivals sails - and even his teammate's - when he posted the fastest time in a bust free practice session.

Nothing unusual about the German being quickest you might but think, but the fact is that the world champion only completed one flying lap. When you consider that in Turkey, despite limited running in most of the practice sessions, the German took pole and followed it up with a lights to flag victory.

With Teammate Webber finishing second, having dominated both of yesterday's sessions, Red Bull must be feeling mighty confident, unlike a number of their rivals.

Mercedes continues to look good with Michael Schumacher looking a lot better here in Spain this weekend than he did in Istanbul two weeks ago.

Alonso's claim that his car is undriveable will have disheartened his team as much as his fans, the Spaniard and his teammate affected not only by the banning of a new rear wing but also the introduction of Pirelli's new hard compound.

The new tyre has brought a mixed reaction from the drivers, some loving it, most loathing it. Few, if any, drivers are going to be using it during Q1 this afternoon, and they will want to use it for the shortest period possible tomorrow afternoon. However, the drivers are strictly limited by the amount of option tyres available which means they will need to compromise. But when and how?

Other than Vettel's sole hot lap this morning the other drama was Nick Heidfeld's truly hot lap, the German sidelined when his Renault caught fire. The problem has been traced to an exhaust failure, the British team quick to state that it had nothing to do with blown diffuser technology. The crew works frantically to repair the German's car in order that he can play a part in this afternoon's activity, fitting a new engine and gearbox.

While Ferrari is struggling, certainly this morning, Sauber looks to have taken a step forward, edging ahead of Williams and Toro Rosso. Williams has opted not to use its new floor after yesterday's running proved inconclusive, while only Barrichello is running the new wing.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finished fourth and fifth this morning, however, both drivers are clearly unhappy with the tyre situation - surprising when one considers Jenson's reputation for tyre management.

As the lights go green for Q1, the air temperature is 24 degrees and the track temperature is 33 degrees. It remains bright and sunny.

In the Renault garage Heidfeld chats to Bruno Senna, the German keeping an eye on his crew as it works to ready his car in time.

Karthikeyan gets the session underway, the Indian cheered on by the crowd, this being Hispania's home race. He is followed by Petrov, Liuzzi and d'Ambrosio.

Karthikeyan posts 28.981 but this is immediately beaten by teammate Liuzzi, the Italian posting 28.851. Moments later, a 28.823 sees Petrov take the top spot.

On his second flying lap, Petrov improves to 26.107 as Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Massa and Schumacher al leave the pits, all on the harder rubber.

Petrov raises the ante with a 25.621 but Button is on a hot lap, going quickest in the first two sectors. At the line the 2009 world champion posts 24.708 while Rosberg goes fifth and Schumacher seventh.

Webber goes quickest in the first two sectors, crossing the line at 23.938, as Alonso posts 25.833 to take fourth. Vettel posts 29.368 on his first flying lap, improving to second (24.274) on his second.

Webber posts 23.619 as Alguersuari - on softs - takes second with a 24.049. Hamilton complains of massive understeer. Nonetheless, the Englishman posts 24.370 to go fourth.

Despite going quickest in S1, Vettel fails to improve, while Buemi - on softs like his toro Rosso teammate - goes second with a 23.962.

With 7:15 on the clock there is still no sign of Heidfeld. Both Saubers still to post a time - though they are on track.

Kobayashi goes quickest in S2, crossing the line at 23.656 to take second. Moments later, teammate Perez posts 24.209 to go sixth.