Ahead of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 30 degrees. It's roughly the same as it was yesterday, though it is expected be warmer tomorrow, proceedings getting underway an hour later.

You won't be surprised to hear that Sebastian Vettel was quickest this morning, indeed, it won't come as a shock to learn that he led a Red Bull 1-2, just as he did yesterday in FP2.

While it looks to be another Sunday stroll for the world champion, the fact that the top twelve were covered by 0.141s this morning gives us hope.

Not hope that he'll be beaten of course, we never feel such ill will towards anyone (well not in terms of race drivers) but it would be good to see him under a little pressure if only from his teammate.

Lewis Hamilton was third quickest this morning, but the Mercedes driver, who admits his recent form has been shocking, is plagued with understeer. While we expect Hamilton and his teammate to be strong we cannot help but feel that the dark horse this weekend is Sauber.

Both Hulkenberg and Gutierrez have been impressive, and an ever improving car, matched with the drivers' desire to impress should guarantee a strong showing.

For McLaren, Button and Perez look good though the Englishman is hampered by a three-place grid penalty for a needless error in FP1 yesterday. Like several others, Perez has a point to prove.

Lotus isn't looking as strong as it has in recent outings, but the comparative failure of Ferrari, combined with strong 'out of the box' pace from Heikki Kovalainen could yet see the Enstone outfit take third in the championship.

Pastor Maldonado already appears to have given up on Williams, just a teammate Bottas raises his game, while at Force India, despite countless offs at T19, Sutil looks the stronger of the two drivers.

The overriding impression however, other than the strength of the Red Bulls, is the failure of the Ferraris, both Alonso and Massa looking as though the season can't end quick enough.

Based on the evidence thus far, we're looking at a one-stop strategy tomorrow, with several drivers, most notably Webber, much happier on the prime (hard) tyre and getting their best out of them the more laps they complete.

The lights go green for Q1 and Chilton is first out, followed by di Resta, Gutierrez and Bianchi. In no time at all, all but Van der Garde and the Red Bulls are on track.

Hulkenberg is advised that during the brake the team have fitted new brakesc without informing him.

Chilton posts 47.022 but this is soon beaten by di Resta (45.130) and then Hulkenberg (43.698).

Pic, on the option rubber, posts 42.482 to go quickest (!), however, a 39.825 sees Bottas leapfrog him.

A little bit of silliness sees Maldonado almost run into the back of a Sauber (Gutierrez) which was weaving in order to generate heat into its tyres. As a result the Williams runs wide.

As Alonso goes quickest (39.658), ahead of Bottas and Gutierrez, the Red Bulls remain in their garages.

Hamilton takes the top spot with a 39.153, watched by his former boss and mentor, Ron Dennis.

Bottas re-takes the top spot with a 38.773 only to lose out when Grosjean improves with a 38.676.

The stewards announce that they are to investigate the Maldonado/Gutierrez incident.

"Wow, shocking. Shocking how the car responds," says Hulkenberg. "I think it's some nasty tailwind in Sector 1 and 2"

Button reports that he has oversteer in the high-speed corners and understeer in the slower ones.

With 6:59 on the clock, Vettel leaves the pits… his teammate having left a minute earlier. Both are on primes as is pace-setter Grosjean.

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