Following this morning's (second) free practice session, there is a real sense of anticipation ahead of today's qualifying session.

After the nonsense of Indianapolis, it is truly great to put the bull**** to one side, and get on with what F1 should be all about, racing.

In this morning's second session, the top 11 were covered by 0.9s, which sets up the qualifying session, and indeed the race, nicely.

Although overcast, it's dry, and the air temperature is 21 degrees, while the track temperature is 25 degrees. Humidity has dropped to 72%.

First out this afternoon will be Ralf Schumacher, who missed the United States Grand Prix - though in his case it was due an accident rather than politics - he will be followed by David Coulthard, Nick Heidfeld, Christian Klien and Jacque Villeneuve.

Since they actually took part in the Indianapolis event - and finished - the Minardis and Jordans will be amongst the last go out, while Kimi Raikkonen forfeits ten grid places due to yesterday's engine change.

At 13:00, Ralf heads out of the Toyota garage, the session is underway. At the first split the German posts 24.316, as he locks his front brakes at Adelaide. At the second split it's 51.228, followed by a 1:15.771 at the line. The mistake at the hairpin cost him.

At the first split, David Coulthard posts 24.680, he's 0.36s down on Schumacher. At the second split it's 51.415, as he makes up the time that Ralf lost at Adelaide. At the line the3 Scot posts 1:16.434, 0.6s down on the Toyota, having lost a heap of time in the final sector.

The WilliamsF1s haven't looked good thus far this weekend, despite new aero components, so what can Nick Heidfeld do now. At the first split it's 24.641, he's 0.32s down on his compatriot. At the second split it's 51.286, as he closes to within 0.058s of Schumacher. At the line it's 1:16.207, which puts him second.

At the first split Christian Klien posts 24.774, he's 0.45s off the pace. At the second split the Austrian posts 51.550, the Red Bull clearly struggling for grip. At the line it's 1:16.547, which puts him fourth, behind his teammate.

Last out before the first break is Jacques Villeneuve. At the first split the former World Champion posts 24.675, he's 0.359s off Ralf's pace. At the second split it's 51.034, as the Canadian goes quicker than the Toyota. At the line it's 1:15.699, provisional pole for the Canadian, and a great, great lap.

At the first break it's Villeneuve, Ralf, Heidfeld, Coulthard and Klien.

Next out is Juan Pablo Montoya who, thanks to Raikkonen's engine change, is sure to be the highest placed McLaren driver on the grid. At the first split the Colombian posts 24.493, he's 0.182s up on Villeneuve. At the second split it's 50.791, he's still quicker despite a mistake at 180. At the line it's 1:15.406, provisional pole by 0.293s.