Ahead of Q1, the air temperature is 33 degrees C, while the track temperature is 59 degrees.

Having essentially gone off to do their own thing in FP2, this morning Mercedes was back in the game, with Antonelli topping the timesheets, thereby leading to claims that the German outfit had been sandbagging.

However, the fact that teammate Russell was fourth, 0.610s off the pace, only confused matters.

Verstappen and Hadjar were third and fourth, thereby not only showing the Red Bull's pace here but reinforcing the fact that the Austrian team is gradually closing the gap.

Next up were the Ferrari pair, both over 0.7s off the pace, but ahead of the McLaren.

As previously reported tyre deg is far worse than predicted, and with the softs only good for one flying lap there is no room for error. Unfortunately, by error that also includes such things as traffic, not just mistakes.

A number of drivers looked set to improve earlier, but the merest mistake, the slightest impede and it was gone, with no chance to have another go next time around.

With this in mind, Verstappen and Leclerc have 5 sets of fresh softs apiece, while their rivals have just four.

Consequently the pressure is really going to be on over the next hour.

Gasly continues to look good, as do the RBs and Alpines, but the fact is that qualifying and the race is going to be a lottery.

As a reminder, Colapinto, Hadjar and Lindblad all have grid penalties. Other than the 5-place drop for his Baku bash, the Argentine drops another 10 places after taking on new engine components. Likewise Hadjar, who drops 5 places, and Lindblad who drops 30.

Green light and Ocon leads his Haas teammate out to get things underway.

As they begin their first flyer the pair have the track to themselves.

Ocon crosses the line at 38.879 and Bearman 38.994, at which point the pitlane bursts into life with Antonelli leading Russell, Verstappen and Hadjar.

Among the last to head out are the McLarens.

Antonelli posts a 37.041, and Russell, a 37.264, as Verstappen responds with a 36.477 and Hadjar a 36.898.

The Ferraris, like the Audis, are on mediums.

Leclerc goes second with a 36.730, but is leapfrogged by his teammate, while Gasly goes sixth, splitting the Mercedes pair.

Lawson goes eighth and Lindblad ninth, ahead of Alonso.

Piastri goes fourth (36.852) and Norris seventh.

The Haas pair fail to improve on 17th (Ocon) and 19th.

Sainz is currently 15th and Albon 18th.

Lindblad reports a rattling noise from the right-front side of his car.

Lawson gets the final assault underway, followed by Stroll, Perez, Bottas and Alonso.

Ocon, Albon, Bearman, Stroll, Bottas and Perez comprise the drop zone.

Lawson remains tenth, Stroll goes eleventh and then Alonso eleventh.

Bearman goes fifteenth, Sainz eleventh and Bortoleto eighth.

Colapinto goes tenth which is bad news for Lindblad.

"Ah, sorry guys," says Hulkenberg.

Quickest is Verstappen, ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Antonelli, Norris, Bortoleto, Gasly and Colapinto.

We lose Hulkenberg, Bearman, Ocon, Albon, Bottas and Perez.

Stroll has been noted for failing to adhere to the maximum delta time.

Q2 gets the green light but it is a couple of minutes before an engine fires up. It is the Red Bull of Hadjar, who is followed by Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell and Sainz.

As more drivers emerge, this time it is softs all round.

Verstappen is shown the black and white for driving unnecessarily slowly.

Hadjar crosses the line at 36.192, as Verstappen responds with a 35.696.

Antonelli splits the Red Bulls with a 36.075 as a 36.245 puts Russell fourth.

Leclerc goes second (35.970) and Hamilton third (36.032).

Norris goes fifth, ahead of Hadjar, Russell and Gasly as Antonelli has his time deleted for exceeding the track limits at Turn 6.

Piastri goes third and Norris fifth, the top six covered by 0.496.

Antonelli is shocked to hear that his time has been deleted. "Are you sure?" he asks.

The Italian has the track to himself as he seeks to post a time and make it through to Q3.

As begins his flyer, Lindblad, Lawson and the Aston Martins head out, along with Gasly.

The world championship leader goes second with a 35.959 as Alonso is shown the black and white for driving unnecessarily slowly.

Lindblad aborts his lap, while his teammate improves from eleventh to tenth, courtesy of a tow from his RB teammate.