Ahead of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 33 degrees.

If this morning's Sprint is anything to go by, a good grid position is going to be vital tomorrow.

Over the course of 24 laps, there were only changes of position among the leading eleven, as fans were treated to the equivalent of watching paint dry.

To add insult to injury, as winner Russell crossed the finish line the heavens opened up, not that the TV director appeared bothered.

Obviously, a Mercedes driver is favourite to claim pole, however the Ferraris and McLarens will be keen to upset the applecart and both teams appear more than capable.

Overtaking isn't easy here, we were told post-Sprint, as once again the measures brought in to counter the issue of dirty air appear to fall short.

Behind the big guns, Alpine is looking strong, as are RB and Audi, while the Aston Martin is proving to be one of the big disappointments thus far.

Norris was unhappy with the pace of the McLaren, consequently it remains to be seen how McLaren have made use of the break.

Ahead of the green light, Race Control announces that it is "raining trackside", however, like yesterday afternoon it is actually bright and sunny, albeit quite windy.

As ever, traffic is going to be an issue, especially is the opening phase.

Green light, and Hulkenberg leads the way, followed by Bearman, Ocon, Stroll and Tsunoda.

Leclerc is the first of the big guns to appear, followed by Hamilton and Verstappen.

Hulkenberg is on mediums, while the rest appear to have opted for softs.

Hulkenberg posts an exploratory 21.443. As was the case yesterday it looks like drivers are going for two warm-up laps.

That said, Tsunoda posts a 14.287 and Lindblad a 14.620.

Stroll goes third with a 15.131, but is demoted when Alonso posts a 14.635.

A 13.624 from Leclerc, but Hamilton responds with a 13.406.

Lawson goes second and Verstappen third, both within 0.2s of Hamilton's time.

Tsunoda goes fifth with a 14.287 as Norris goes top with a 13.060.

Piastri responds with a 12.848, as Antonelli goes second, only to be leapfrogged by Russell and his 12.939.

Bearman goes ninth and Ocon tenth, as Hulkenberg goes fifth with a 13.307.

Quickest in S3, Leclerc goes fourth with a 13.064, as Tsunoda goes seventh.

Gasly goes thirteenth, just behind his Alpine teammate.

Alonso goes twelfth with a 13.650 and Sainz fifteenth. The Williams driver is subsequently demoted by his teammate as Stroll has his time deleted.

Following a massive lock-up, Hamilton heads off into the gravel at Turn 1. Currently tenth, the Briton heads back to the pits.

Currently first and third, Piastri and Norris fail to improve in S1 and again in S2. Both opting for another lap?

Quickest in S2, Hulkenberg goes sixth with a 13.188.

Next time around the McLaren pair trade fastest sectors. Piastri improves with a 12.610, as Norris goes second with a 12.695.

Lindblad goes fifth but is demoted when Hamilton goes second.

Tsunoda goes seventh and Bortoleto tenth.

Sainz goes seventeenth, as Russell remains fourth and Alonso aborts having failed to make the cut.

Lawson improves his time but remains fourteenth.

Piastri is quickest, ahead of Hamilton, Norris, Russell, Antonelli, Leclerc, Lindblad, Tsunoda, Gasly and Bortoleto.

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

Relay shows Bortoleto getting horribly out of shape but somehow holding it all together and making it through. "Sorry guys, what the **** did I do there," he says.

Verstappen is first out for Q2, followed buy Hulkenberg, Antonelli and Russell.

Hulkenberg posts a 12.879, and as Verstappen opts for another warm-up lap, Russell posts an 11.969 and Antonelli a 12.390.

Verstappen goes third with a 12.634, ahead of Hulkenberg and Albon.

Lawson goes fourth while the McLaren pair opt for a second lap.

Next time around Norris posts an 11.860 and Piastri an 11.834, with Leclerc going third at 11.910.

An 11.970 puts Hamilton fifth.

Lindblad goes seventh (12.525), ahead of the Red Bull pair.

Gasly goes tenth, ahead of Colapinto and Hulkenberg.

Bortoleto goes eighth and Tsunoda twelfth.

Ninth and tenth, the Bulls head out again, as do the Mercedes pair and the Ferraris.

Lindblad appears to be the only driver who will not run again... at which point he heads out.

Verstappen goes third with an 11.874, Antonelli fifth, Lawson eighth and Norris top, the Briton posting an 11.628.