21/06/2014
NEWS STORY
Ahead of this morning's free practice session the air temperature is 15 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 30 degrees. Yesterday's dark clouds have given way to the white fluffy kind and bright sunshine.
As expected, Mercedes pretty much rules here - ironic really considering we're at the Red Bull Ring - with Nico Rosberg quickest in the morning and teammate Lewis Hamilton doing the business in the afternoon.
With a 0.9s advantage over their nearest rival (Alonso) one would be forgiven for thinking the weekend is a lost cause but let's not forget that Canada showed there is a chink in the Mercedes armour even if Toto Wolff says the Montreal problem has been resolved.
Then again, graining looks likely to be an issue here as does the problem of keeping the cars on the black stuff, virtually everyone one going off at some point or another yesterday.
From the outset, the Ring has shown us that not only is it located in beautiful surroundings it is a circuit that demands total respect and those that fail to learn will pay the price.
As in Canada, Williams looks mighty strong, the Grove outfit ahead of the Red Bulls, McLaren and Toro Rossos indeed, other than the Mercedes, only Alonso was quicker.
That said, behind the Silver Arrows the next nine cars were covered by just 0.504s.
Possibly more than any previous race this season, tyre management is going to be a major factor, for despite the standings on the timesheets some teams are doing a better job with their rubber than others, something that will only really become apparent on Sunday.
Despite his, and his team's best efforts, Sergio Perez' grid penalty stands, the Mexican failing to have his five-place grid penalty overturned.
The lights go green and Sutil leads Massa, Chilton, Raikkonen, Vergne, Maldonado and Ericsson.
While most complete a single installation lap a couple complete two, however, nobody looks ready to post a time just yet.
That said, Magnussen posts a 15.696 to get the session properly underway, Rosberg posting 12.987 moments later.
As the pair trade times, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Ericsson and Maldonado join in the fun.
As one might expect, Maldonado is one of the first to run wide, Hulkenberg also going off moments later.
"No engine braking at all," complains Button after running wide in T1, referring to his brake by wire. He dives into the pits with smoke pouring from the rear brakes.
The Briton is clearly unhappy that his team hadn't picked up on the issue, admitting that though there is a problem they weren't picking it up on the data feed. Elsewhere, Sutil is struggling with his front brakes.
Bottas goes quickest (10.641), ahead of his teammate, with Kvyat third, ahead of Magnussen, Raikkonen and Vergne.
With 38:00 remaining all but Perez, Alonso and the Bulls have posted times.
As drivers continue to struggle to remain on track, turns 8 and 9 particularly causing problems, it's worth noting that Charlie Whiting has warned that drivers straying too far off track at T8 in qualifying risk losing their times.
At the top of the timesheets, Bottas and Massa trade times however, there remain concerns as to the team's tyre wear.
As Alonso goes third (10.565), Vettel posts 12.151 to go thirteenth. Ricciardo is on track.
On the half-hour, Hamilton and Rosberg are ninth and twelfth, clearly biding their time.
Problems in the McLaren garage where the mechanics are still working on Button's brake issue.
Perez and Vergne are the latest to run wide, Niki Lauda looking as though he is finding it difficult to stay awake.
As Ricciardo goes wide at T8 the Australian is told to watch his line, mindful of Charlie Whiting's earlier warning.
It looks as though Button's session could be over, tweeting the current standings McLaren says "Jenson out with car damage".
As Rosberg goes quickest (10.058), Hamilton gets two (not four) wheels over the line at T8 as he improves to fifth (10.706).
Ricciardo runs wide in T8 in order to avoid a Force India that is heading into the pits.
With 15:00 remaining and awaiting the first appearance today of the option tyres, it's: Rosberg, Bottas, Massa, Alonso, Hamilton, Kvyat, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Raikkonen and Vergne.
Hulkenberg is the first to bolt on a set of the supersoft rubber, the German heading down the pitlane.
As 'The Hulk' begins his first flying lap on options, Alonso, also on options, heads down the pitlane.
In actual fact, Hulkenberg barely improves indeed, he remains seventh. Could it be the cooler temperatures?
Chilton has a problem and is "confined to the garage" according to Marussia.
More and more drivers switch to the softer rubber but there are no significant improvements. Hulkenberg improves from seventh (10.840) to sixth (10.683)
Alonso goes second (10.410) as Rosberg goes quickest in S2. The Spaniard subsequently goes quickest with a 10.054.
Perez goes cross-country in T9 having been affected by the 'wake' from Magnussen's McLaren.
A 10.008 sees Bottas go quickest as Ricciardo goes fifth.
Massa is the first driver to dip into the 1:09s, the Brazilian posting a 9.901. Elsewhere, Rosberg goes quickest in S2, finally crossing the line at 9.999 to go second.
Traffic causing a serious problem here.
Hamilton goes quickest in S2, the Briton finally stopping the clock at 9.898 to go quickest.
All but Button and Chilton are on track as the clock counts down.
Kobayashi goes off at T9 and is left stranded on the apron before finally getting going again. Replay shows he lost the rear in the corner, the Caterham losing all grip due to its close proximity to the car ahead.
Another big off for Perez at T9 the Mexican having every filling in his head rattled by the unforgiving bumps.
A late charge sees Kvyat improve to fourth (9.927), while Bottas leapfrogs Hamilton with a 9.848 to take the top spot.
The session ends with Bottas quickest, ahead of Hamilton, Massa, Kvyat, Rosberg, Alonso, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Raikkonen and Vettel.
Hulkenberg is eleventh, ahead of Maldonado, Vergne, Grosjean, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Kobayashi, Ericsson, Chilton and Button.
Check out our Saturday gallery, here.
Chris Balfe