Ahead of today's sole practice session the air temperature is 21 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 18 degrees. As yesterday, it is bright and sunny, though this being a coastal holiday resort one would expect that... though not in the UK.

Lewis Hamilton set a blistering pace in yesterday's second session, the paddock still very much overshadowed by the events of last week. Whatever else one might take away from this weekend, this writer will never forget the pain etched on the face of Marussia boss Graeme Lowdown as he delivered his heartfelt speech at the press conference.

Despite the featureless nature of the track, the drivers appear to enjoy it, and it certainly produced more than a few moments with everyone running wide at some point or another. Ironically, it's been compared to Valencia (street circuit) and Yeongam (Korea), both of which are now missing from the calendar.

Speed bumps have been placed at T2, in an attempt to prevent drivers gaining an advantage by running wide. As if.

Quite how Nico Rosberg will deal with the 0.9s deficit to his Mercedes teammate remains to be seen but we're pretty sure he'll get to grips with it this morning.

The big surprise has been the pace of the McLarens, which at this early stage appear to be the biggest threat to Mercedes, the MP4-29 seeming to revel on the new track whereby others are struggling. However, both Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen admit that this could change as the track develops.

Williams is also 'up there', as is Fernando Alonso, who pulled out all the stops - albeit unseen - to post the third best time of the day.

Still early days but both Red Bulls were off the pace, then again if you were to sit down and pen the ultimate nightmare Adrian Newey track layout, this would be it.

Toro Rosso is looking good, while Sauber and Lotus both look to be set for another difficult weekend.

Nico Hulkenberg gets after Force India opted to change his gearbox after the Japanese GP, whilst Pastor Maldonado carries over a 5-place drop form Suzuka.

Tyre choices are medium and soft, with around two-seconds between the two yesterday.

There are two DRS zones, the first detection point is just after the start/finish line with the activation point located just after T1, while the second detection point is before T9 with the activation point just after the same corner.

The lights go green and Chilton is first out, Marussia running just the one car this weekend. He is followed by Maldonado, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Ericsson, Massa and Bottas.

Sutil posts the first time of the day (43.432) but this is soon eclipsed by Kvyat (42.988). Elsewhere, Gutierrez complains that "there is something wrong with the throttle".

As Vettel heads into the pitlane he is told to stay out, necessitating a naughty trip over the markers. Incidentally, the pitlane speed limit has been reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.

Hamilton goers quickest with a 42.030, whilst Vettel can only manage 44.074. Moments later, Rosberg ups the ante with a 41.859 only to be leapfrogged by Vettel (41.554).

All this action and still only eight names on the doors.

Perez is the first off of the day - he won't be the last - running wide at T13. Shortly after Verne runs wide at T10.

Problems for Maldonado whose car is in the garage following a KERS failure. Warning notices indicate the car is 'live'. His session is over after just two installation laps.

A 40.725s sees Hamilton reclaim his top spot, ahead of Kvyat and Rosberg.

As Button posts 42.163 to go sixth, Rosberg improves to second, 0.106s off his teammate's pace.

Magnussen has stopped on track at T5 shortly after running wide in T3. As was the case yesterday with Ricciardo, the session is red flagged.

Replay suggests the Dane, who has only completed 4 laps, suffered a suspension failure after hitting the kerbs at T2, he does wonders in keeping the car out of the barriers as the McLaren snapped from side to side.

The session resumes at 12:23, Massa, Bottas and Alonso the first to emerge from their garages. Ricciardo, who has yet to make an appearance this morning, is also heading down the pitlane.

Kobayashi and Bottas both run wide at T4.