To date, every single session has been compromised, be it diesel spillage, rain or the red flags that followed Carlos Sainz' horrendous accident.

Consequently, this afternoon's qualifying session is a step into the unknown.

With yesterday a wash-out, literally, we always knew that this morning's session would be frantic, and so it was.

In their attempts to gather as much data as a possible on a track where they've only raced once before, the teams adopted various strategies. Then, just as they began to focus on this afternoon's session, out came the red flags with the subsequent news that the session - even though there were around twenty minutes remaining - that it would no re-start.

Consequently, this afternoon could be a bit of a lottery.

Yes, Nico Rosberg was quickest this morning, the German absolutely flying on the option rubber, though Valtteri Bottas was very quick on both compounds.

However, there were plenty of drivers who hadn't begun to turn their attention to this afternoon and as a result we can expect a few surprises.

As expected, Toro Rosso will field only one car, and while Sainz is said to be OK, the team insists he is under no pressure to race tomorrow.

Ahead of Q1, the air temperature is 16 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 26 degrees.

"We're heading into what might be the most unpredictable qualifying session ever, in terms of preparation," admits Pirelli. "Track temp still cool."

The lights go green and Merhi leads the way, Rosberg and Massa above the others keen to get out.

Whilst Merhi posts 44.765, Verstappen bangs in a 40.529. Elsewhere, Maldonado spins at T5 thereby bringing out the yellow flags.

Rosberg posts as stunning 38.556 on the prime, teammate Hamilton going second with a 39.574.

Vettel heads out, the German already on the option rubber.

Told he's second to Rosberg and the gap, Hamilton askes for confirmation.

Nasr is told, like Merhi earlier, to respect the track limits at T2.

Alonso fifth and Button sixth, though the Spaniard has a 35place grid penalty.

The Mercedes duo trade fastest sectors, Roberg slightly improving to 38.343, whilst Hamilton posts 38.558.

As Vettel goes third (38.598), Rosberg admits his "entry lap" was "pretty poor".

Raikkonen, like his Ferrari teammate, on the options, subsequently posts 39.207 to go fourth.

Ricciardo, currently last, is the only driver, other than the Mercedes duo, on the prime rubber. Masa (11th) and Bottas (17th) have both switched to the softer rubber.

Ricciardo improves to seventh (39.684) as Massa goes sixth (39.387).

As Bottas improves to sixth (39.348), Kvyat posts 39.917 to escape the drop zone.

With 12:25 remaining, Perez, Merhi, Ericsson and Stevens comprise the drop zone, Button, Nasr and Perez hovering just above.

A 39.056 sees Grosjean go fourth, with Massa improving to fourth (38.926) moments later.

Finns Raikkonen and Bottas are quickest in S1, as Perez improves to eleventh.

Button posts 39.739 to go thirteenth though teammate Alonso fails to improve.

Bottas goes second (38.448), whilst Raikkonen remains seventh after making a minor, but costly, mistake.

Quickest is Rosberg, ahead of Bottas, Hamilton, Vettel, Massa, Grosjean, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Verstappen and Ricciardo.

We lose Alonso, Ericsson, Stevens and Merhi.

Told he's made the cut, Button responds: "OK, that's something to build on."