Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 19 degrees C, while the track temperature is 26 degrees. Following this morning's rain showers, the track has now dried, though the threat of further downpours remains. It is currently overcast, and quite windy.

The pace-setters in this morning's free practice session were the BMW drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve. However, the Canadian forfeits ten grid spots following today's session as a result of an engine change.

The lights go green and first out is Ralf, followed by Trulli, Monteiro, Liuzzi, Speed, Sato and Ide. In Bahrain and Malaysia, Renault left it very late before going out, one wonders if they will continue this strategy this weekend.

Liuzzi posts the first time of the session, but this is soon beaten by teammate Scott Speed. Meanwhile, Ide has one of his customary off-track moments.

Behind Speed, Ralf goes second and Trulli third.

As Liuzzi goes quickest, Ide has another off, while Albers goes third ahead of Klien, Ralf, Trulli and Sato.

Though the session is only eight minutes old, Ide has yet another moment. This time he spins in the middle of the track and has problems getting the car going again. He is having problems finding the reverse gear.

The session is stopped, which is frustrating as several drivers, most notably Raikkonen and Coulthard, were on fast laps.

A couple of minutes later the session resumes, and Montoya heads the traffic jam at the end of the pitlane. Just over seven minutes remaining and all the big guns are on track.

Montoya goes quickest in the first sector, but almost instantly his time his eclipsed by Fisichella. The Colombian is quickest again in the second sector, but once again Fisichella goes quicker.

Montoya goes quickest ahead of Michael, however, Fisichella beats the pair of them, crossing the line at 1:27.765.

Ralf goes third ahead of Rosberg, who is them demoted by teammate Webber.

A 1:27.748 sees Jarno Trulli go quickest as Button goes third. However, Fisichella and Webber are both on hot laps.

Raikkonen goes quickest (27.193), as Ide holds up Barrichello, who is still in the 'danger zone'.

Montoya goes quickest (27.079), as Barrichello crosses the line in seventeenth, an absolute disaster for the Brazilian.

Speed and Button both have offs, but at least the Englishman has made it through to the second round of the session, unlike the American.