Ahead of today's first free practice session, the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 27 degrees. It's cool, decidedly overcast, and the air is damp, indeed, there was rain earlier this morning, and no doubt there will be more during the course of the day, if not the weekend.

Win or lose, there's no doubting who is the star of this weekend's show. As the curtain is about to come down on Michael Schumacher's 16 year F1 career, the German is mobbed by journalists and photographers wherever he goes. No doubt he will be looking forward to the sanctuary offered by the cockpit of his Ferrari 248.

First out is Ernesto Viso, making his F1 debut, followed by the usual suspects, the 'Friday boys', including Michael Ammermuller, making another appearance for Red Bull.

Alexander Wurz posts the first time of the day, the Austrian crossing the line at 1:17.689. Meanwhile, Pedro de la Rosa is the first of the race drivers to come out, though the Spaniard only completes an installation lap.

Wurz and Davidson continue to lap the track, as Heidfeld and Sato come out for their installation laps. As Kubica heads down the pitlane, Wurz raises the benchmark with a 1:16.781, which is around 5s off last year's pole time.

Fifteen minutes into the session, it's; Davidson, Wurz, Montagny, Viso, Ammermuller, Vettel and Jani. Davidson's best time is 1:15.883. Raikkonen, Trulli and Speed have been out, but only for the obligatory installation lap.

This weekend, marks the last (race) appearance of tobacco signage - which is banned from the end of 2006 - the Hondas have the words 'See Ya' on the rear wing, where one would normally expect to find 'Lucky Strike'.

The BMW of Sebastian Vettel has 'Thanks Michael' on the rear wing, a nice touch from the German team. Then again, it was Peter Sauber who assisted Michael's F1 entry.

Davidson improves to 14.889, as Vettel goes second, ahead of Wurz, Jani and Ammermuller. Elsewhere, Ralf Schumacher is on track.

Twenty-seven minutes into the session, there are only eight times on the timesheets, though seventeen drivers have made an appearance thus far.

As Jenson Button stands at the back of the Honda garage talking to his crew, one cannot help but notice how much he is beginning to resemble Chris Martin, the singer with Coldplay. Thoughts of last week's (excellent) episode of 'Extras' spring to mind.

Viso has a bit of a moment, but the young Venezuelan somehow keeps it under control.

As Vettel improves to 15.028, Davidson goes over a second quicker, crossing the line at 13.902. Elsewhere, Sato goes eighth, and Speed tenth, the first race drivers to post a time.

Just over ten minutes remaining, and it's: Davidson, Wurz, Vettel, Jani, Ammermuller, Viso, Speed, Yamamoto, Sato and Montagny.

Barrichello heads down the pitlane, moments later, Coulthard, Doornbos and Fisichella leave their garages.

Button and Alonso leave the pits, however, whereas the Spaniard completes just the one lap, the Englishman continues around. Barrichello goes sixth, but he is instantly demoted by his teammate, who posts 15.790.

De la Rosa goes fourth (14.846), only to be bumped down by Button, who improves yet again. Not to be outdone, the Spaniard posts 14.237 to re-take fourth.

Less than minute remaining, and no sign of the Ferraris or the two WilliamsF1 race drivers.

On what is really his first true flying lap of the session, Kimi Raikkonen goes quickest, crossing the line at 1:13.764, that's 0.138s quicker than Davidson.

The session ends with Raikkonen quickest, ahead of Davidson, Wurz, Vettel, de la Rosa, Button, Trulli, Jani, Barrichello and Ammermuller.

Of the twenty-nine drivers on duty, only seventeen posted times.