Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41 degrees. It is bright, though cloudy, and remains very windy, though not quite as windy as in FP3.

While Russell was quickest in both of yesterday's session, Verstappen topped the timesheets earlier, and, unlike his previous hot laps, the Dutchman didn't do it with the aid of a tow.

While there were no stoppages, over the course of the hour we had two phantom VSCs, and there barely seemed to be a moment when there wasn't a 'yellow flag' warning flashing on the timing screens.

A tricky course at the best of times, the situation wasn't helped by the gusty wind and leaves on the line, not to mention some over ambitious driving.

Such were the amount of incidents - and we are expecting lots more - it would take a brave man to make a prediction, however, we were impressed by Perez - benefitting from the new Ferrari engine - and Sainz - benefitting from the new lighter tub and upgrades.

Mercedes is clearly the pace-setter, though Verstappen has been in the mix in all three sessions, ahead of Ferrari and McLaren, with Gasly, in particular, in the mix.

The start of the session is delayed as the track is still being cleared following the eventful F2 race. It will get underway at 16:04.

Green light, Bearman leads the way, followed by Colapinto, Perez, Gasly and Bearman.

Verstappen is the first of the big guns to emerge, the Dutchman running behind the two RBs. The Mercedes pair, with Russell ahead of Antonelli, follow.

"Same wind direction as this morning," Stroll is told.

As they head down the main straight, Verstappen and Russell are already racing!

Stroll is off at Turn 7, thereby bringing out the yellows.

Bottas posts a 2:00.401 as Perez responds with a 55.905.

Oh no, Stroll hit the wall. However, he is able to continue.

Colapinto goes second, ahead of Lindblad, Bearman and Gasly.

Colapinto improves with a 45.758 as Bortoleto goes second.

"I'm struggling to get my tyres up to temperature," says Hamilton, as Hadjar (44.702) goes top, ahead of Verstappen and Antonelli.

Hamilton goes second with a 44.857 as Russell goes sixth and Sainz seventh.

Leclerc goes fifth, however unlike his teammate he did not benefit from a tow.

Piastri goes third, as Verstappen complains of bouncing.

"Ah, ****, I hit the wall," reports Antonelli. Indeed, he has hit the wall on the inside at Turn 1, and though he continues his car is damaged.

"Park up," he is told, "you're not going to be able to fix that." Nonetheless, the youngster continues.

Meanwhile Russell goes top with a 44.277, as Verstappen goes second, 0.002s off the pace.

"Something broke I think," reports Norris, who is currently twelfth.

"Why can't we fix it?" asks Antonelli. Even the most cursory of glances reveals why.

Quickest in S1, Leclerc crosses the line at 44.360 to go third.

The Red Bull pair trade fastest sectors.

"Something's not right," insists Norris.

Verstappen goes top with a 44.041, while a 44.161 puts his teammate second.

Antonelli watches from the side of the track as Norris, despite his problems, improves to sixth, having gone quickest in S1.

Colapinto goes eighth.

Hamilton goes third with a 44.260 as Russell almost trips up over Lindblad.

Albon goes fifteenth, just behind his Williams teammate.

Russell retakes the top spot with a 43.615.

Stroll is off at Turn 3.

Albon goes eighth and Sainz tenth, as Lindblad goes fourteenth.

Gasly goes sixth, as Perez pits having failed to make the cut.

Lawson fails to improve on sixteenth as Bottas claims his car is totally different to FP3.

Quickest is Russell, ahead of Verstappen, Hadjar, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Norris, Piastri, Albon and Ocon.

We lose Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Perez, Stroll and Bottas.

Sainz gets Q2 underway, followed by Albon, Verstappen, Lindblad, Lawson and Hadjar.

Lindblad is off at Turn 4, bringing out the yellows.

Norris is the leading McLaren and Hamilton the leading Ferrari.

Russell, of course, does not have a teammate from whom to obtain a tow.

"Rears are particularly cold," reports Hamilton.

Sainz posts an exploratory 54.603 as those behind follow suit.

Next time around Sainz improves to 44.848, as Albon posts a 45.019.

A 44.282 from Verstappen, but Hadjar responds with a 44.236.

Norris goes top with a 44.020 and Piastri second, just 0.185s slower.

Leclerc goes top with a 43.835 but is instantly leapfrogged by Russell (43.686).

Hamilton goes fifth ahead of the two Red Bulls.

Last out are the alpines, Colapinto running ahead of Gasly, which should see the keyboard warriors getting busy on social media.

Lawson can only manage eleventh, as Hadjar goes third with a 43.880, without a tow.

Despite being quickest in S1, Hamilton remains fifth, while Leclerc remains second.

Colapinto goes tenth but is demoted when Gasly goes seventh with a 44.106. Which demotes Verstappen to eighth.

Lindblad remains fifteenth, as Verstappen goes quickest in S2. The Dutchman crosses the line at 43.706 to go second, as Hadjar takes to the run-off in Turn 15.

Ocon fails to improve on thirteenth, as Lawson goes eleventh.

Leclerc aborts his lap as Hadjar runs wide in Turn 15.

Sainz goes ninth as Albon fails to improve on thirteenth.

Piastri goes fourth, as Colapinto goes tenth, thereby demoting Bearman.

Russell consolidates his top spot with a 43.462.

Quickest is Russell, ahead of Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Norris, Hamilton, Gasly, Sainz and Colapinto.

We lose Bearman, Lawson, Albon, Ocon, Lindblad and Antonelli.