Massa masters McLaren

07/04/2007

Based on the evidence thus far, we can expect to see either a Ferrari or McLaren on pole tomorrow afternoon. That said, this is Formula One, and as we know from experience anything can happen, which means BMW and Renault could be in with a shout.

While Felipe Massa dominated yesterday's sessions, today it was Lewis Hamilton's turn to top the timesheets. Though Ferrari denies any worries regarding Kimi Raikkonen's engine, the fact is that he has been behind his Brazilian teammate all weekend thus far. Food for thought?

Ahead of this afternoon's all-important qualifying session, the air temperature is 34 degrees C, while the track temperature is 49 degrees. It remains bright and sunny and the expected storm appears to have been a false alarm. Humidity is 52 percent.

First out is Jenson Button, followed by Schumacher, Trulli, Rosberg, Liuzzi and Speed.

It's Rosberg who posts the benchmark (36.286), but this is soon beaten by Liuzzi. Speed goes third ahead of Davidson and Schumacher.

The first serious time however, is posted by Kimi Raikkonen, who crosses the line at 1:35.138. Moments later, teammate Massa goes second.

Hamilton and Alonso are both on track, the Englishman going quickest in the second sector and going on to go quickest (35.028). However, his McLaren teammate is also on a hot lap, going quickest in the second sector. At the line the Spaniard posts 34.942 to go quickest.

Behind the McLarens and Ferraris it's Webber, Liuzzi, Rosberg and Coulthard. Neither of the BMW drivers has posted a time yet.

Barrichello and Button are both on track, the Brazilian clearly struggling with the Honda. At the line the Englishman posts 35.913 to go sixth. It's good, but is it good enough? Barrichello aborts his lap and heads back into the pits, the Brazilian yet to post a time.

Just over three minutes remaining and both BMWs are on track. Heidfeld goes fifth, as the Honda crew prepares to send Barrichello out.

Kubica goes fourth (35.294), which drops Wurz into the 'danger zone'. The big guns are happy and opt to stick with their current times, not so Trulli, Webber, Button et al.

Sato and Davidson, both in the 'danger zone' are on track. That said, both Renaults are at the wrong end of the timesheets.

Barrichello fails to make the cut, posting 36.827. Wurz is another 'victim', the Austrian clearly has a gearbox problem.

Along with Wurz and Barrichello, we lose Davidson and Speed, in addition to the Spykers, which continue to show an alarming lack of pace.

Both Renaults make it through to the second phase, but only just, while Sato, Liuzzi, Button and Rosberg live to fight another day.

Fernando Alonso waits at the end of the pitlane for the start of the second phase. Seemingly, he seemingly can't wait to get back to work.

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