Last year it was a former priest that caused problems at Silverstone, this weekend it looks likely to be the weather.

In recent days, the Northamptonshire track, indeed much of southern England, has suffered the sort of weather normally only experienced in November, with dark clouds, heavy storms and low temperatures.

Whether it rains or simply remains cold, the conditions seem to favour reigning world Champions Michael Schumacher.

At the pitlane lights go green, the ambient temperature is 16 degrees C, while the track temperature is 26 degrees.

First out on track is Toyota's Cristiano da Matta, followed by Panis, Bruni, Zonta, Raikkonen, Fisichella, even World Champion Michael Schumacher is eager to get out.

Whereas most drivers complete an installation lap then return to their garages, Schumacher stays out to set the benchmark, a very respectable 1:21.411, which is only 0.2s off last year's pole time.

Next time around he goes even quicker, posting a 1:20.591, clearly the cool conditions suit the German, his Ferrari and the Bridgestones. On only his second flying lap he's 0.7s quicker than the 2003 pole time, set by his teammate.

Marc Gene is the second driver to post a time, the Spaniard lapping the former airfield in 1:22.118 then improving with a 1:21.556. Moments later, teammate Montoya posts 1:22.179, as the drivers and team personnel keep a wary eye on the dark clouds in the distance.

The Colombian improves with a 1:21.505, still almost a second off the pace, as Heidfeld goes fourth ahead of Pantano, Glock and Baumgartner.

What's interesting is that normally Anthony Davidson and Ricardo Zonta are on track putting in the laps and setting the benchmarks, but as yet, neither has posted a time.

Fifteen minutes into the session, and Felipe Massa - on Bridgestones - produces a 1:20.820 to go second. Next time around he goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second, going on to cross the line at 1:20.430, and shooting straight to the top of the timesheets.

Meanwhile Zonta has finally posted a time, the Brazilian goes fifth in the standings with a 1:22.714. While Massa looks set to raise the benchmark still further, the Brazilian going quicker still in the first two sectors before deciding to return to his garage.

Anthony Davidson finally sets a time, the English youngster goes fifth with a 1:21.561, just five-thousandths slower than Gene.

Twenty minutes into the session and Rubens Barrichello comes out to play, the Brazilian to repeat his 2003 success here this weekend. Sato and Button also come out.

On his first flying lap, Rubens posts 1:20.098, that's 0.332s faster than Massa. Next time around he improves to 1:19.622, going quicker than anyone else in the first two sectors. Meanwhile Button and Sato go fourth and fifth respectively.

Michael Schumacher is back on track, he immediately improves but remains third, as teammate Barrichello raises the benchmark to 1:19.619.

The ambient temperature has dropped to 15 degrees, and Bridgestone runners are first, second and third.

da Matta and Panis are back out, neither driver has posted a time so far. The Brazilian goes fourteenth, 5.5s off the pace, only to be leapfrogged by his French teammate moments later.

Coming up to half-time, it's Barrichello ahead of Massa, Michael, Button, Sato, Montoya, Gene, Davidson, Zonta and Wirdheim. No times from Coulthard, Raikkonen, Trulli, Alonso, Fisichella, Webber and Klien.

Panis improves to ninth with a 1:22.520, to be joined moments later by his teammate, who goes eleventh. One, or both, of these drivers could be looking for a job next season.

On his first flying lap, Fisichella, another Bridgestone runner, goes fourth. Next time around he improves with a 1:20.446, which puts him ahead of Schumacher.

Finally some relief for the Michelin team, Davidson posts 1:19.748, to go third. Elsewhere Alonso goes tenth with a 1:22.003.

Schumacher sends out a clear signal that as much as he likes his teammate, Barrichello can expect no favour this weekend, the German goes quickest with a 1;19.214. However, moments later the Brazilian re-takes the lead with a 1:19.138.

The Ferrari drivers are separated by 0.076, with third-placed Davidson a further 0.610 behind. Meanwhile, Jarno Trulli goes eleventh as teammate Fernando Alonso stops with a technical problem, apparently it's his throttle.