Ahead of today's sole practice session the air temperature is 25 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 38 degrees. Contrary to the forecasts of thunderstorms, it is bright and sunny, though there is talk of rain later and again tomorrow. We shall see.

Sadly, not for the first time, F1 is put in perspective as the thoughts of the paddock lie across the Atlantic and the atrocities in Paris yesterday. Understandably, the mood is somewhat sombre today.

Nico Rosberg topped the timesheets yesterday, the German clearly buoyed by his victory in Mexico.

With teammate Lewis Hamilton second quickest the Mercedes was in a league of its own, the nearest opposition, Sebastian Vettel, almost a second behind.

Almost everyone was unhappy with grip - or the lack of it - as all had a moment at one point or another. However, the revised kerbing at some corners has also caused problems. Tyre degradation has also been an issue, the warmer temperatures today, certainly compared to yesterday afternoon, will not help.

Fernando Alonso missed much of FP2 following a power unit issue, the resultant red flag seeing Valtteri Bottas handed a three place grid penalty for overtaking Felipe Nasr under it.

Daniel Ricciardo has also picked up a grid place, though in his case it was for an unscheduled engine change, Red Bull finally switching the Australian to the updated Renault unit. The team has yet to decide if Daniil Kvyat will also use the new unit.

The lights go green and Stevens leads the way. The Ferrari duo are among the early risers.

Unsurprisingly, Stevens posts the first time of the day (20.353), teammate Rossi posting a far more impressive 18.873 moments later.

A 15.367 sees Nasr go top whilst teammate Ericsson can only manage 20.363. The Brazilian subsequently reports that the car pulls to the left under braking.

With Nasr having upped the ante with a 14.960, Perez goes second, the Mexican stopping the clock at 15.126.

Raikkonen posts 14.373 as Perez consolidates second ahead of Sainz, Nasr and Hulkenberg.

On his first flying lap, Verstappen goes second, the Dutchman posting 14.808.

It's a Ferrari 1-2 as Vettel posts 14.062, teammate Raikkonen also looking set to improve having gone quickest in S1.

As Rosberg heads down the pitlane, Rosberg and Kvyat remain the only drivers yet to appear.

Bottas goes third (14.535) as a mistake in S2 sees Raikkonen lose a heap of time, despite being quickest in the first and final sectors.

Hamilton has stopped on track but subsequently gets going again. "I've lost gears," he tells the team. He gets going again and makes his way back to the pits, albeit very slowly.

As his crew get to work on Hamilton's car, teammate Rosberg heads off to work.

Having posted a PB is S1, the German slows in an attempt to give himself some free space. Elsewhere, Hamilton is heading down the pitlane.

A big lock-up in T1 for Kvyat as Rosberg, on his second timed lap, goes quickest with a 13.753. "A big flat spot,2 admits Kvyat, "the lap won't be representative, sorry about that," he adds.

As Hamilton posts 13.647, to take the top spot, Rosberg goes quickest in S1.
A PB in S2 is followed by another 'purple' in S3, the German crossing the line at 13.324.

Down in 14th, Massa, a two-time winner here, is still clearly struggling, a combination of poor balance and the revised kerbing.

At half-time, with the option rubber yet to make an appearance, it's: Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Grosjean and Maldonado.

A spin for Hamilton at T11 sees the Briton remain stationary for a few moments before he gets going again. Having been quickest in S1, replay shows him losing the rear as he applied the power. Elsewhere, Rosberg complains that his rear grip has dropped away "quite lot".

Ricciardo has completed the most laps (18) but remains 18th, 3.660s off the pace.