Ahead of today's first free practice session, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 42 degrees. As expected it is warm, bright and sunny.

In addition to the return of Franck Montagny, who will drive the third Super Aguri SA06, today we welcome Sebastian Vettel, who, when he steps in to his BMW will become the youngest ever driver to participate in a Formula One world Championship Grand Prix weekend.

At 19 years and 53 days, the German takes the record from New Zealander Mike Thackwell, who was 19 years 180 days old when he drove a Tyrell in practice for the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal.

The lights go green, and first out is Giorgio Mondini, followed by Vettel, Montagny, Doornbos, Jani and Wurz… the Friday boys.

As Yamamoto, Davidson and Raikkonen come out to play, Wurz posts the first time of the weekend, crossing the line at 1:33.163. Moments later Davidson posts 32.194.

Pedro de la Rosa comes out for an installation lap, as Davidson and Wurz both improve, the Englishman raising the benchmark to 30.642.

Vettel is back on track, as Davidson posts 29.959 and Mondini goes third quickest with a 33.430.

The German's first ever free practice lap sees him cross the line at 33.524, to go fourth… from little acorns.

Vettel improves to third, but is then demoted by Doornbos, as the Friday drivers continue to rack up the laps.

Twenty minutes into the session, it's Davidson, Jani, Wurz, Vettel, Doornbos, Montagny and Mondini.

Davidson continues to chip away, steadily raising the benchmark. However, approaching half-time, there are still only 7 names on the timesheets. Indeed, only 11 drivers have made an appearance this morning.

With 27 minutes remaining, Heidfeld, Ralf and Monteiro head down the pitlane. Meanwhile, a 29.964 sees Vettel go second, just 0.771s off Davidson's best.

Jarno Trulli heads down the pitlane, as Fisichella dons his helmet and steps into his car. A couple of doors down the pitlane, Felipe Massa follows suit.

Wurz improves, but can only manage third, but next time around posts 28.959 to take the top spot. This is the prompt for Albers and Fisichella to leave the pits. Moments later, Alonso heads down the pitlane, as Yamamoto becomes the eighth driver to post a time.

Yamamoto gets all crossed up, as Davidson stops on track, smoke pouring from the back of his car. Monteiro posts 32.571 to go eighth.

With just over nine minutes remaining, there are still only nine names on the timesheets, God alone knows what the people in the grandstands are thinking.

Albers gets crossed up, as Sato and Barrichello leave the pits, followed by Massa.

Hungary winner Jenson Button heads down the pitlane, followed, moments later by Michael Schumacher. Meanwhile, Massa begins his first flying lap. We say 'flying', but at the second split he's already 6s off the pace. Indeed, he crosses the line 12s down on Wurz.

Jenson Button goes third, then improves to take second. However, Michael is on a hot lap, and by the second split is 0.17s up on Wurz. Indeed, the German goes quickest, crossing the line at 1:28.777.

At the very last knockings, Kimi Raikkonen takes top spot, crossing the line at… at which point the timing screens fail… brilliant!

The session ends with Raikkonen quickest, ahead of Michael, Button, Wurz, Davidson, de la Rosa, Heidfeld, Vettel, Doornbos and Jani. 19 drivers posted times, while, as ever, Webber and Rosberg failed to make an appearance.