Ahead of Q1 the air temperature is 33 degrees C, while the track temperature is 54 degrees.

While Antonelli topped the timesheets in both of yesterday's session, and looked set to repeat the feat this morning, following a few minor adjustments teammate Russell went quickest by 0.038s.

We fully expect the battle for pole is going to be between these two.

However, third quickest was Hamilton, Ferrari - certainly in his case - much improved since yesterday, having probably turned up the wick on its new engine. Once again, teammate Leclerc couldn't match the Briton's pace.

Piastri and Norris were fourth and fifth, ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, and, like many, appeared to be caught out be the pace of Hamilton's Ferrari.

While traffic is going to be an issue this afternoon, along with track limits, as was the case in Barcelona, we expect tyre deg to play a vital role tomorrow in which case pole might not be that important.

The Mercedes is in a league of its own on the straights, and while Ferrari was losing out everywhere yesterday the overnight tweaks have clearly helped.

The usual suspects look destined to fall at the first hurdle, while Williams and Haas are going to be under pressure in Q2.

Green light, and Ocon heads out, followed by Bottas and Perez. Shortly after Sainz follows them, along with Albon and Hulkenberg.

Russell is the first of the big guns to head out.

Ocon posts a 9.083 benchmark, and while the Williams pair go second and third, Russell posts a far more sensible 7.811.

Hulkenberg goes second with an 8.509, but is demoted when Verstappen stops the clock at 7.407.

A 7.408 puts Hadjar second, just 0.001s off his teammate's pace.

A 7.259 from Norris as Hamilton goes second, just 0.031s down on the 2025 world champion.

Piastri goes fifth and Leclerc sixth, demoting Russell to seventh.

Antonelli crosses the line at 7.083, 0.176s up on Norris.

Russell begins another flyer but his opening sector is well off the pace. He posts a PB in S2, crossing the line at 7.591 to remain eighth.

Albon goes sixteenth and his teammate seventeenth.

Bottas leapfrogs Ocon for nineteenth with a 9.030.

Hulkenberg runs wide in the final corner in his attempt to improve on fifteenth.

"It's a bit similar to the FP3 runs," reports Russell, "all wheels sliding."

Hadjar is first out for the final assault. He is followed by Piastri, Gasly, Colapinto and Bearman.

As the big guns look set to stay put, those lower down the order head out of fresh rubber.

Antonelli heads out, probably to scrub a set of tyres.

Colapinto goes ninth, Ocon thirteenth and Sainz fourteenth, the Spaniard running wide in the final corner.

Lindblad goes eighth, Lawson fourth and Bortoleto twelfth.

Hulkenberg goes fifteenth, as Russell improves to fifth with a 7.398.

"A good lap," says Alonso, "not too far, we're getting close, we're getting close."

Not from where we're sitting Fernando, old chap.

Antonelli is quickest, ahead of Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Russell, Verstappen, Hadjar, Piastri, Leclerc and Lindblad.

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

As Q2 gets the green light in the McLaren garage a lot of attention is being paid to the rear of Norris's car. That said, despite talk of floor damage, hew is first to head out, albeit on used rubber.

He has the track to himself.

As he begins his first flyer, Verstappen, Hajar and Leclerc head out.

Norris crosses the line at 7.321.

Verstappen is also on used rubber, while the Ferrari pair are on fresh softs.

Verstappen posts a 7.183 and Hadjar a 7.315.

Leclerc goes top with a 7.030 while his teammate responds with a 7.039.

Gasly goes sixth despite a snap in the final corner.

Bortoleto goes ninth, but is demoted when Antonelli goes top with a 6.763.

Piastri goes second (6.890), 0.127s off the pace.

With 6:20 remaining, all bar Russell have posted a time, the Briton having aborted his previous run which was on fresh rubber.

Russell heads out, just behind Norris.

"George, just drive," Russell is told by Toto Wolff. So, what caused the Mercedes boss to react like that?