Ahead of today's opening session, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 48 degrees.
In terms of upgrades, McLaren has a new Rear Wing, having dropped the H-wing this weekend. Additional elements have been added to the rear wing, improving flow conditioning onto the rear wing mainplane and flap elements.
Mercedes has a new Rear Wing, Exhaust Tailpipe and Front Drum. Reducing the span of the central winglet mounted above the rear wing flap sheds local downforce and drag at a ratio appropriate for Madrid, while an additional winglet added to the tailpipe is to increase exhaust flow turning to generate load and drag at a ratio appropriate for this track. In terms of the front drum, the front lip has been reprofiled to improve flow attachment through all steer conditions, resulting in improved flow to the rear of the car.
Red Bull has a new Rear Corner and Floor Bib. Continuing the work from Monza, the new and more robust gaitor gains winglets downstream of the suspension fairings seek to restore the load of earlier races whilst maintaining a sealed wheel bodywork. On the floor bib, when deflected, the laminate and shape have been altered to ideally eliminate deterioration of the structure and aerodynamic surfaces by reducing the local strain.
Ferrari has upgraded its Rear Suspension. The small update on the rear suspension fairing profile, is aimed at adapting the overall incidence and spanwise loading distribution, simply returning a local load benefit.
Alpine has a new Floor board. The forward floor board has been optimised to improve the local pressure distribution and flow management, thereby generating efficient local downforce.
Cadillac has a new ear Wing Flap and Diffuser Vane. The reintroduction of a revised rear wing flap central trailing edge winglet serves to generate more rear aerodynamic load, whilst improving overall aerodynamic stability throughout a range of operating conditions, while a small vertical turning vane has been added to the inner trailing edge of the outboard diffuser sidewall, which improves aerodynamic performance in the outer floor channels and increases the load at the rear of the car.
With this being a new track, and one that already has a reptation as a "car killer" it is perhaps understandable that these are the only upgrades this weekend.
Indeed, there was a nasty crash during the F2 session earlier. Thankfully, ART driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, escaped unharmed from his car as it burst into flames after crashing at Turn 19, the session subsequently red-flagged for almost half-an-hour.
In the moments before the session it is revealed that Leclerc has reverted to an old engine. This comes following fears that the Ferrari driver might have required a new unit after last weekend's crash at Monza.
Green light and Ocon leads the way, followed by Bearman, Russell, Sainz and Alonso.
Alonso wastes no time in overtaking countryman, and fellow local here, Sainz.
As more drivers emerge, mediums are clearly the order of the day. That said, Bortoleto opts for hards.
"Box for a steering wheel change," Perez is told.
Ocon posts a benchmark 44.336, but his teammate responds with a 43.615.
Alonso stops the clock at 42.662 and Hamilton 39.431.
Verstappen crosses the line at 39.257. as Morris goes third, ahead of Lindblad, Lawson and Piastri.
Leclerc, having originally posted a 42.003, goes top with a 38.504, only to be eclipsed by Antonelli (37.294).
Quickest in all three sectors, Hamilton goes top with a 36.066.
Norris goes second with a 37.251, 1.185s down on Hamilton.
Hamilton improves to 35.563, as Verstappen goes second, ahead of Leclerc, Lawson and Piastri.
On the mediums, Bortoleto improves to 11th with a 39.28, as Leclerc goes second, 0.105s down on his Ferrari teammate.
A number of drivers have times deleted for exceeding track limits - even though the entire track appears to be lined with barriers - with Turns 5 and 13 appearing to be the most troublesome.
As Hamilton improves to 34.803, and Antonelli goes second (35.148), Alonso is twelfth and Sainz fourteenth.
Bearman cannot believe that he is four seconds off the pace.
A 34.683 sees Leclerc go top - with that old engine!
"These same two guys, they don't know what they're doing," says Lindblad of Hamilton and Antonelli. "They're just stupid, they drive slow in a fast corner... it's been twice now."
As Lawson switches to softs, the first driver to do so, Hulkenberg goes fifth (36.086) on the mediums.
As Lawson goes fourth with a 35.691, the Mercedes pair also switch to the red-banded rubber.
Bortoleto (hard) goes ninth with a 36.139.
Quickest in S3, Hamilton retakes the top spot with a 34.620.
A number of drivers are complaining of graining.
"Front-left (degradation) I have seen on a lot of cars," confirms James Vowles, "that doesn't surprise me but rear-left, that is killing our lap time."
"Let's be careful with..., I don't think Lewis knew I was coming," warns Leclerc after the pair almost trip up over one another.
The RB pair are next to fit the softs.
On the softs, Russell improves to seventh, while Lawson remains fourth, the kiwi quickest in S2.
Lindblad goes fifth and Tsunoda twelfth.
Russell improves to third with a 34.729, as his teammate cross the line at 34.683 to leapfrog him.
"I have an issue with the power steering," reports Tsunoda. "I almost crashed into the..." He is old to pit.
With just under twenty minutes remaining, the Ferrari pair switch to softs as Russell goes top with a 34.145.
A 35.280 puts Piastri fifth, however, moments later he is leapfrogged by his teammate.
Bortoleto, currently eleventh, goes quickest in S1. The Brazilian improves to ninth, his teammate currently seventh.
"I have something in the cockpit hanging around my feet," reports Piastri. We know the feeling Oscar, we know the feeling.
Though quickest in S1, Leclerc aborts his first flyer on the softs after running wide in Turn 17.
Tsunoda's session appears to be over.
In rapid succession the Ferrari pair suffer lock-ups.
Antonelli leapfrogs the Ferrari pair with a 34.363 to make it a Mercedes 1-2.
Alonso brushes the wall at Turn 8, the Spaniard is currently 1th.
Hamilton aborts his latest flyer after encountering a slow Bearman.
In the McLaren garage mechanics are working in the cockpit of Piastri's car.
Russell switches back to the mediums.
"Oh my God, that's not very nice from Hamilton," says Hulkenberg of Hamilton.
A 34.536 sees Leclerc leapfrog his teammate, as Hamilton has a close encounter with Sainz on the infamous Monumental.
"Lewis letting me by in the middle of Turn 12... it's always the same," says Sainz, "it is so dangerous. He takes zero effort, zero effort."
The session ends. Russell is quickest, ahead of Antonelli, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Lindblad, Piastri, Hulkenberg and Lawson.
Bortoleto is eleventh, ahead of Ocon, Colapinto, Gasly, Alonso, Bearman, Sainz, Tsunoda, Stroll, Albon, Perez and Bottas.
An interesting session, and, considering there wasn't even a hint of a stoppage, is testament to the skill of these guys.
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