Ahead of today's Shootout, the air temperature is 16 degrees C, while the track temperature is 30 degrees. It is sunny but chilly. Still cool, but an improvement on earlier.

It was two-by-two earlier as the Mercedes pair - led by Russell - out-paced McLaren and Ferrari, while Bearman was seventh ahead of Verstappen.

With third-placed Norris 0.555s off Russell's pace it really is looking ominous for the opposition.

There were two VSCs, one due to debris and the other when Lindblad stopped on track.

The RB driver had suffered an issue which caused him to spin and he was unable to get going again. Worryingly, there were several similar incidents of the rear brakes suddenly locking up and causing drivers to spin.

Ferrari has brought its rotating 'Macarena' rear wing, but it didn't seem to have any impact earlier, certainly in terms of reducing the gap to the Mercedes. Indeed, the Maranello outfit has dropped the controversial wing for the remainder of the weekend.

Hamilton was one of those to suffer a mystery snap, and as a result had to switch to softs much earlier than planned, thereby compromising his entire programme.

In the moments before the go, Cadillac announces that Perez will not take part due to a fuel system issue. It was a fuel system issue that caused Bottas to retire from the Australian GP.

The lights go green and Bottas leads the way, followed by Hadjar, Verstappen, Hulkenberg and Bortoleto.

Hadjar posts a benchmark 34.447, while his teammate responds with a 34.500.

Stroll goes third but is demoted by Lawson and Lindblad, then Leclerc posts a 34.248.

A 33.730 sees Hamilton go top, despite being compromised by Colapinto in the final sector.

Hulkenberg splits the Ferraris with a 33.997, as Bearman goes fourth.

Stroll's time is deleted for track limits.

Piastri goes second (33.813), but his teammate responds with a 33.783.

Antonelli posts a 33.455 but his teammate stops the clock at 33.030, that's 0.700s up on third-placed Hamilton.

Leclerc improves to second with a 33.423 as Stroll posts a 36.154 to go 19th.

Hamilton is quickest in the final two sectors, crossing the line at 33.148 to go second.

An off in the final corner means Bortoleto remains 14th.

Albon, Colapinto, the Aston Matins and Bottas comprise the drop zone, with Lindblad and Sainz hovering.

Ocon improves to eighth and Lawson ninth, but both are demoted when Gasly goes seventh.

Leclerc goes third with a 33.194.

Colapinto improves to fifteenth as Albon fails to improve.

Bortoleto goes thirteenth while Verstappen remains eleventh. The Dutchman is very, very unhappy, complaining that "everything" is wrong with his car.

Quickest is Russell, ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Lawson.

We lose Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas and Perez.

Hulkenberg is first out for SQ2, followed by Piastri, Norris, Bortoleto and Bearman.

Hulkenberg posts a benchmark 48.241... as Gasly responds with a 33.571.

Bearman goes second and Colapinto, but both are demoted when Hadjar goes second with a 33.620.

Verstappen goes top with a 33.564.

A 32.602 sees Leclerc go top, while teammate Hamilton goes second with a 33.260.

Piastri splits the Ferraris with a 33.146, as Norris responds with a 33.163.

No sooner has Antonelli posted a 32.570 than Russell crosses the line at 32.241.

"He got in my way," says Norris of Antonelli. Race Control confirms that it has noted the incident.

Hadjar fails to improve on ninth, as Leclerc appears to have settled for his time.

Hamilton improves to fourth with a 33.042, but is demoted by Piastri while Norris goes sixth.

Bortoleto remains thirteenth, as Verstappen drops to ninth.

Gasly goes seventh and Bearman eighth.

Lawson can only manage thirteenth.

Replay shows Verstappen going wide at Turn 16, after being put off by one of the Alpines (Gasly).

Both Red Bulls appear to make the cut by the skin of their teeth.

Quickest is Russell, ahead of Antonelli, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Norris, Gasly, Bearman, Verstappen and Hadjar.

We lose Hulkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Lindblad and Colapinto.

The stewards are investigating the Gasly/Verstappen incident and that involving Antonelli and Norris.

Antonelli is first out to get SQ3 underway, he is followed by Russell, Verstappen, Leclerc and Hamilton.

Antonelli posts a 31.880 but teammate Russell has a 31.520 up his sleeve.

Verstappen goes third with a 33.254, but Leclerc responds with a 32.732 and Hamilton a 32.161.

Only five drivers went out for that first run, now the remaining five head out, each banking on that one flyer, with Gasly leading the way.

Antonelli improves his time but remains second, while Norris goes quickest in S1.

Leclerc remains fourth and Verstappen fifth.

Gasly goes fifth, ahead of Verstappen.

Norris goes third and Piastri fifth, while Hadjar can only manage tenth.

So, Russell will start the Sprint from pole, ahead of Antonelli, Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Gasly, Verstappen, Bearman and Hadjar.

Hulkenberg will start eleventh, ahead of Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Lindblad, Colapinto, Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas and Perez.

Ignoring the fact that the Sprint, and indeed Sunday's race, appears to be a foregone conclusion, the fact is that Mercedes rivals, particularly Red Bull, has work to do.