It came as no surprise that Sebastian Vettel topped the timesheets in this morning's practice session, even though it was the first time this weekend that he'd eclipsed his rivals.

What did come as a surprise however, is the fact that the top three drivers, Vettel, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso were covered by just 0.222s. While Red Bull continues to be red hot favourite, the fact is that, as in 2010, Ferrari is not prepared to take things lying down and has every intention of fighting for both titles.

Felipe Massa was seventh quickest, around a second off his teammate's pace, but it is widely thought that he was running a slightly heavier fuel load. Consequently, it looks as though Red Bull and Ferrari have the edge here.

Both McLaren drivers were in the top six, both within 0.7s of Vettel, however, Hamilton, who has dismissed any hope of the Woking team taking pole, remains confident that its race pace will be altogether different.

Behind them, Mercedes appears to have a slight edge over Force India and Williams while Renault has thus far failed to get a grip.

However, all this could prove insignificant should the weathermen - and ladies - prove correct, for it is forecast that there will be rain tomorrow indeed, there might even be a shower or two this afternoon. We shall see.

Tyre options are medium (prime) and soft (option) with the softer compound around a second quicker and good for two hot laps.

Tonio Liuzzi has been handed a 5-spot grid penalty after his team opted to change the gearbox on his car but since his average qualifying position is twenty-second the penalty is hardly earth-shattering.

As the lights go green for the start of Q1, the air temperature is 14 degrees C, while the track temperature is 22 degrees. It remains exceedingly cool and overcast.

Ricciardo is advised that there is a strong headwind on the main straight and into Turn 7, which is the opposite of this morning when there was a tailwind going into Turn 7.

The Virgins of Glock and d'Ambrosio lead the way followed by Liuzzi and Ricciardo.

As Glock begins his flying lap, there are twenty drivers on track. The German posts 1:38.486.

The first round of laps sees Schumacher go quickest (35.368), ahead of Heidfeld, Webber, Hamilton and Sutil.

Alonso goes second but from out of nowhere Alguersuari produces a 34.187 only to be leapfrogged by Webber (34.084).

Despite being blocked by Glock, Hamilton improves with a 32.934 to go quickest as Vettel goes second with a 33.116. Button takes fourth with a 33.513.

With 11:34 on the clock, Petrov, Kobayashi and Perez have yet to leave the make an appearance.

Barrichello posts PBs in all three sectors but can only manage sixteenth (35.646). Hamilton consolidates his top spot with a 32.934 but appears to be pushing his McLaren to the absolute limit.

A 32.916 sees Alonso go quickest, as Webber improves to third ahead of Vettel, Button and Massa. Schumacher misses the chicane, which, incidentally, he helped design.

With 5:45 on the clock, Perez goes sixth (33.743) as Kobayashi and Petrov finally leave the pits. The Japanese driver immediately goes eighth (33.949) while the Russian posts 33.187 to go fifth despite losing time in the final sector behind two slower cars.

Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Webber appear to have settled for their times, while Barrichello is still firmly entrenched in the danger zone with teammate Maldonado hovering. However, the Venezuelan goes fourth (on softs) as Heidfeld goes quickest (32.603) and Schumacher second.

Massa goes quickest (31.826), the Brazilian using one of his sets of softs, as Sutil hoes second with a 32.286. Moments later, di Resta posts 32.651 to go fifth, the Scot also gambling with a set of softs.