18/04/2015
NEWS STORY
Following that slip in China, the pendulum that is Ferrari's fortune appears to be swinging in the Maranello outfit's favour again this weekend.
This morning Sebastian Vettel was just 0.069s off Lewis Hamilton's pace, with Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen both within spitting distance.
The fact that the official timing system had the German on prime rubber at the time added extra excitement, alas, once again the official timing system was incorrect.
Nonetheless, the Ferrari, as in Malaysia, has strong pace here, indeed, on longer runs it might even have the edge.
The Williams duo is also looking strong, whilst Red Bull, courtesy of a number of various issues, not least a mistake by Daniil Kvyat, and the need to limit engine usage, remains a mystery.
Indeed, whilst Mercedes and Ferrari are the pace-setters, with Williams a strong third, the midfield is extremely tight, though Toro Rosso has been MIA for much of the weekend.
After a torrid day yesterday, things were a little better for Jenson Button this morning, instead it was teammate Fernando Alonso who appeared to be hurting.
As was the case yesterday, due to the timing of the sessions, it was hard to gain much insight from the earlier one, this afternoon's session taking place at the same time of day as the race (18:00) should give us a much better idea of pace.
As was the case yesterday, there were offs and lock-ups aplenty this morning, Daniil Kvyat bringing out the red flags when be beached the Red Bull in a gravel trap. Another factor, particularly this morning, was the wind, which apart from everything has blown sand on to the track.
The difference between the medium and softs has been as much as 3s this weekend, so it is likely we'll be seeing even some of the big guns resort to the softer rubber in Q1.
Air temperature is currently 25 degrees C, and the track temperature 31 degrees. The sun is setting and the circuit is bathed in artificial light.
The lights go green and bang on cue Raikkonen heads down the pitlane.
As the Finn begins his flying lap he is joined on track by countryman Bottas and Rosberg.
A spectacular shower of sparks heading into T1 is followed by a massive lock-up by Raikkonen, his lap ruined before it had truly begun. Hamilton is warned that it looks calm but there are still some "big gusts".
Raikkonen posts 36.731 having messed up in the first corner. "I have a lot of vibration, so I'll box this lap," says the Finn.
Bottas posts 36.268 as Hulkenberg, Nasr, Perez and the Manor duo venture out of options.
Rosberg goes quickest (35.657) and Hamilton second (35.957) as Massa goes third, ahead of Raikkonen and Verstappen.
Both McLaren drivers also on the option rubber. That said, Button has stopped shortly after leaving the pits (T3), his session is over. In the McLaren garage Ron Dennis' frustration is obvious.
As his car is pushed to safety, Button cuts a sad figure as he walks away from the stricken MP4-30.
Hulkenberg (on softs) goes second and Perez third, thereby dropping Hamilton to fifth and almost surely ensuring that the big guns will need to run again on the softer rubber.
Alonso posts 36.471 to go ninth, as Vettel finally leaves the pits, his Ferrari sporting asset of options. Both Mercedes drivers are also on the option rubber.
At the first split Vettel is already 0.003s up on Rosberg, and by the end of S2 he's 0.67s to the good. He crosses the line at 34.919 to go quickest, 0.738s up on the leading Mercedes.
Raikkonen is now also on a hot lap, the Finn posting 34.568. However, he is almost immediately demoted to third as Rosberg (34.398) and then Hamilton (33.928) go quicker.
With1:15 remaining, all but Vettel are on track, all on options. Maldonado and Verstappen both in the danger zone.
"I've got traffic," screams Masa. "Never mind, finish the lap," he is told. Traffic or not, he goes fourth.
A late charge sees Ricciardo go go fifth but he loses out when Bottas posts 34.161 to go second.
Sainz improves to 11th, and therefore makes it to Q2 as Maldonado leapfrogs Kvyat but is then demoted back into the drop zone when Verstappen posts 35.611 to go 14th.
"Sorry, but we had the engine problem again," Maldonado is told.
Hamilton is quickest, ahead of Bottas, Rosberg, Massa, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Vettel, Grosjean, Alonso and Nasr.
We lose Maldonado, Kvyat, Stevens, Merhi and Button.
The green light signals the start of Q2, but unlike Q1 there appears no desire to get things underway.
Almost four minutes in, an engine fires up, shortly afterwards Perez heads down the pitlane, followed by Hulkenberg and Rosberg. More and more drivers pour on to the track, all on options.
As Perez posts 36.354, Verstappen complains "no power, no power", not the first time he's uttered those words this weekend.
No sooner has Hulkenberg posted 36.068 to go quickest than Rosberg posts 33.878 and Hamilton 32.669. Bottas goes third with a 33.897 only to be demoted when teammate Massa splits the Mercedes duo with a 33.551.
Verstappen goes seventh and teammate Sainz eighth, as the Ferrari pair come out to play.
On his first flying lap Vettel can only manage a PB in S1, same for Raikkonen. Which probably says more about Hamilton's lap than theirs. PBs all round in S2 also, Vettel finally crossing the line at 33.623 to go fourth as Raikkonen takes second with a 33.540, albeit 0.871s off Hamilton's pace.
With 2:10 remaining, Hulkenberg, Perez, Alonso, Nasr and Ericsson comprise the drop zone with Verstappen, Ricciardo and Grosjean hovering. That said, Alonso and the Saubers haven't been out.
As Vettel complains he was experiencing "power drop outs", Alonso and the Saubers head down the pitlane for their sole run.
Nasr subsequently goes ninth (34.737) but is demoted when Hulkenberg posts 34.613.
A late, late improvement sees Sainz drop Perez into the danger zone despite the Mexican's best efforts.
Quickest was Hamilton, ahead of Raikkonen, Massa, Vettel, Rosberg, Bottas, Grosjean, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg and Sainz.
We lose Perez, Nasr, Ericsson, Alonso and Verstappen.
Whilst the gap between Hamilton and second placed Raikkonen is a mighty 0.8s, what about 1.1s gap between the world champion and his teammate?
The lights go green and the Ferraris lead the way, Vettel followed by Raikkonen. Both on used options.
As the Ferraris begin their flying laps, all but Hulkenberg and Sainz are on track.
Whilst the Ferrari duo are quick, Hamilton and Ricciardo are also on hot laps.
Vettel posts 34.522 and Raikkonen 34.535, but moments later both are demoted when Ricciardo bangs in a 33.850.
Rosberg goes second (33.854), with teammate Hamilton posting 33.522s moments later. It's Mercedes, Red Bull, Mercedes, much like 2014.
A 34.230 sees Bottas go fourth whilst Massa can only mange seventh (34.942).
Sainz and Hulkenberg are to try just one run, the German on a brand new set of boots.
Unsure if he's taking the p*** but Hamilton says his "wasn't a very good lap".
With 2:50 on the clock, they head out for the final assault, Rosberg leading the way.
Ricciardo posts a PB in S1 with Vettel going purple moments later.
Ricciardo loses pace in S2 as Vettel maintains the pressure, however Hamilton is also improving.
Vettel goes quickest with a 32.982 and Bottas second, all eyes on Raikkonen and Hamilton.
Raikkonen can only manage third, but a triple whammy sees Hamilton re-take the top spot with a 32.571. Teammate Rosberg posts 33.129 to take third.
Hamilton start from pole, for the fourth time this year, ahead of Vettel, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Bottas, Massa, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Sainz and Grosjean.
Perez starts eleventh, ahead of Nasr, Ericsson, Alonso, Verstappen, Maldonado, Kvyat, Stevens, Merhi and Button.
A superb performance from Hamilton, though Vettel starting from second will surely bring back memories of Malaysia.
Ahead of the official qualifying photograph Rosberg cuts a bit of a sad figure, standing alone as he awaits the arrival of his teammate and Vettel.
Of course, just twelve months ago it was here that he kicked new life into the championship, but then he didn't have the Ferraris to contend with also.
Thankfully, after a largely disappointing race in China it looks like we could be in for a decent race again tomorrow. If it's only half as thrilling as last year it would be good, but with Ferrari and Williams in the mix... dare we dream.
Check out our Saturday gallery, here.