Ahead of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 21 degrees, while the track temperature is 23 degrees. It has brightened up since this morning but, as ever, this being, Spa, the chance of rain is ever present. Indeed, there are big black clouds on the horizon.

Red Bull, and in particular Sebastian Vettel, have dominated thus far but this morning both Ferrari drivers entered the equation, Fernando alonso splitting the Milton Keynes duo and Felipe Massa finishing fifth.

Also looking good this morning were Jean-Eric Vergne, Jenson Button and Esteban Gutierrez, as were the Lotus duo despite Kimi Raikkonen's failure to nail it on the option rubber.

Mercedes is struggling and unlike Hungary doesn't look as though it is about to pull something out of the hat, while Force India was also off the pace this morning.

On the other hand, this being Spa, the threat of rain or, better still, changing conditions, would play into the hands of Button not to mention the likes of the Toro Rosso and force India duos. Indeed, as we know from experience here, anything can, and usually does, happen.

The fact that this morning the first sixteen drivers were covered by 1.090s sets us up nicely for the rest of the weekend, whatever the weather.

Just five minutes before the start of Q1 the heavens open, and how. It is that heavy, wet rain that we have all experienced.

In spite of the conditions - or because of them - there is a queue at the end of the pitlane.

Maldonado is told to "get a lap on the board", which is what everyone will want to do.

As the lights go green Maldonado leads the way, everyone on Inters. Hamilton, playing it wisely one suspects, is amongst the first out. That said, in moments all but the Red Bulls are on track... they do subsequently head out.

In clear, albeit wet, air, Maldonado has the advantage... until he overdoes it at Les Combes and spoils it all. Moments later, Chilton does well not to run into the back of his Marussia teammate. The Russian duo's fun and games costing Hamilton precious time.

Nonetheless, Hamilton goes quickest (2:07.008), though this is subsequently beaten by his Mercedes teammate who crosses the line at 2:06.865. As Expected, Button goes third, ahead of Perez.

Webber's first lap sees the Australian go third (2:07.349) as Massa goes fourth and Alonso seventh.

As Hamilton battles with Bianchi, Grosjean, despite a slide in the final chicane, goes third only to be demoted when the boy Gutierrez goes second (2:06.931).

Vettel goes quickest (2:06.729) as Raikkonen slithers to a halt at the chicane. Moments later, Alonso crosses the line at 2:06.209.