Qualifying

Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of what promises to be an absolutely fascinating qualifying session after Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo overshadowed Mercedes in FP3 earlier today.

Alonso said that yesterday's pace was not surprising, and continued where he left off in Friday's first session. We've seen Ferrari drop off in qualifying before this season but if there is any man to drag that car higher up the order than it deserves, it's Alonso.

Ricciardo was also quick, while Vettel spent FP3 making up for lost time yesterday. The world champ sat out FP2 because of an engine problem and that undoubtedly had an impact on him today. Vettel is the master of these streets with three wins to his name, though, so you write him off at your peril.

Williams appeared to recover from its Friday wobble, with Massa and Bottas 7th and 8th respectively. This twisty, high-downforce track doesn't suit the Williams configuration but that Mercedes power unit is still a huge asset. Possible Williams could snatch a spot on the third row, I wouldn't imagine anything higher.

Both Hamilton and Rosberg were much slower than we expected on the super-soft tyre in FP3. Hamilton's lap was particularly scruffy, with several near-scrapes with the wall, suggesting the Brit is yet to find an ideal balance after being slighty unhappy with his car on Friday.

Rosberg turned in a good lap compared to Hamilton, and there was just under three tenths between them in FP3 after Hamilton had been quicker on Friday. Once again, a fascinating battle in prospect between those two - but possible there will be some new faces joining the party.

Tony says: I honestly cannot see why people go on about Alonso he was bettered by Hamilton at Maclaren. You know as well as I do Alonso was probably running less fuel [in FP3]"

Sure to stir some opinions there, Tony.....

Have to say I disagree with you Tony, but respect the opinion. If I wasn't an impartial journalist I would be screaming hard for an Alonso pole tonight. It would be great to see the Spaniard up there - it's the least he deserves this year.

An insight into what happens inbetween sessions at a grand prix, there...

Tony says: "In my opinion the top drivers are basically evenly matched, as Jacques Villeneuve used to say its all about who has their car best set up to suit their driving style, and I honestly believe that."

But your earlier comment is picking up a bit of traction.

James says "Is Tony on a different planet? Fernando Alonso is the real deal. Lewis Hamilton isn't fit to clean his boots in my opinion."

Told you, Tony. Emotive stuff from James.

Siddhesh thinks Mercedes will come out flying in this session: Rosberg looked on it while using primes in FP3. Hard to believe that he lost all that advantage when he moved on to super-soft.

"Pretty much Mercs will again shock everyone by turning it on in qualy and racing some .5s ahead of the competition at least."

I expect Mercedes will step up a gear in qualifying this evening, to be brutally honest. Clearly Hamilton had more in hand from that lap, while Rosberg seemed to lose a bit of time in sector one on his flying lap.

It's all hotting up here.

Tony says: "James's comment is obviously completely biased, he is obviously one of Fernando's fans, but really nothing to back up his statement."

I'm staying well clear of that one, chaps.

someone who deserves special mention from that FP3 session, is Jean-Eric Vergne. He was fourth in that session, with an absolutely wonderful lap. For someone who is unsure where he will be in 2015, a big qualifying session coming up. Interesting to see whether the Frenchman can replicate that in qualifying.

One man who might make it out of the garage in qualifying is Ericsson - as his car has been stripped apart in the garage so Caterham can fit the ERS battery. Ten minutes to get it sorted.

A cynic could say Ericsson would be starting at the back anyway, but I'm no cynic...

Ericsson has been eliminated in Q1 in every single race weekend this season. No other driver shares that record, having all made it into Q2 at least once. Unless you take Lotterer into account, but he only raced in one weekend.

Anmol says: "Alonso's two world championship argue to differ Tony..."

I wonder if Alonso still has nightmares about that yellow Renault of Petrov?

James says: "Two world championships for Fernando... I seem to think that is more than Lewis. I rest my case."

Five minutes to go until qualifying.

Mike says: "Having seen how much trouble some drivers had with corner exits, I am expecting some excitement in the quali. It looked as if some cars were separated from the walls by the thickness of the paint."

Indeed. Ricciardo and Hamilton both coming really, really close to an accident in FP3. Easy to laugh because it was Maldonado yesterday but one mistake here can be so, so costly.

The drivers are strapped into their cars. We're about ready to get Q1 underway.

The circuit is now fully floodlit, unlike FP3. And it looks fantastic.

The clock is ticking and Kvyat is the first man out, leading out a train of cars including Rosberg. Title rival Hamilton also heads straight out.

Phil says: "Counting WDCs is misleading. On that basis Alonso is half as good as Vettel. Is there anyone in the F1 world who believes that?"

Everyone out there on softs currently. The McLarens, Williams and Force Indias all out.

Hamilton reminded he has new brakes, which will just be a warning to think about how he's approaching corners. They would have been changed after FP3.

Rosberg starts his first timed lap of the session.

Rosberg has ran wide at Turn 8, really out-braking himself and his brakes are smoking pretty badly.

That won't have done those tyres any good but he'd rather that happen in Q1 than later on in Q3.

Times starting to tumble, as Vergne jumps above Hulkenberg and Perez with a 1:49.379 for P1.

Big, big lock up from Grosjean going into Turn 1.

Bottas now takes P1 from Vergne with a 1:48.743. All on softs at this point, remember.

Drivers really struggling with this slippery track. Lack of GP2 running could well be a factor.

Magnussen slots into P2, five tenths off Bottas.

The Marussias, Saubers, Lotus' and Kobayashi all on super-softs.

Rosberg now takes P2 with a clean run, just 0.02s down on Bottas.

Raikkonen jumps into P1 but is immediately dropped to second by Alonso, who lowers the benchmark to 1:48.203. Ferrari looking handy out there.

Hamilton also on a hot lap now.

The Red Bulls are still sat in the garage.

Hamilton goes 3.5 tenths quicker than Alonso to lead the session. That's nearly a second quicker than Rosberg.

Replay of Rosberg slowing down to let lapping cars past, including Grosjean who then pulls off into a run off and complains of "no brake power". What a horrible car that Lotus must be to drive.

Watching on boards of Hamilton, he still doesn't look completely happy with that car.

Gutierrez goes second fastest on the super-soft tyres. The Red Bulls have just entered the track on super-softs too.

If the front-runners can, they will try and save a set of super-softs for later in qualifying. But they might just need to bolt them on.

Maldonado goes ninth on his own super-soft run. He's not hit anything yet, either.

Rosberg ventures out on the super-softs so Hamilton should follow suit soon.

Vettel starts his flying super-soft lap by running deep into Turn 1, but he saved losing too much time.

Everyone now out on the super-soft tyre. Hamilton has just emerged on his own set now.

Well, looks like Vettel has backed off after hitting the back off Ericsson and Kvyat, who the champion vents angrily at. Kvyat might be a bit of trouble there.

Hulkenberg really flying out there on super-softs, going purple in the first two sectors!

Ricciardo jumps into P1 on the super-soft tyres, a 1:47.488 some three tenths quicker than Hamilton.

Hulkenberg now goes quickest by a tenth of a second. Great lap from the German, there.

Raikkonen really comes alive on the super-soft tyres as Raikkonen goes over six tenths quicker than Hulkenberg. Button slots in behind Raikkonen into second.

Vergne goes fourth, Vettel can't beat the Frenchman and tucks into fifth.

Alonso can't beat Raikkonen's time, two tenths down on the Finn. Ferrari looking really handy!

And Hamilton goes P3 with his time, 0.2s down. Well well, is there an upset on the cards?

Raikkonen leads Alonso and Hamilton. It's like 2007 all over again.

Button slots in behind Hamilton. There's half a second covering the top six out there.

Massa hovering dangerously above the drop zone, but currently on a flying lap. Forty seconds left in this session.

The clock expires and Massa crosses the line 11th, not quite up to the pace of Bottas but plenty to see him through to Q2. That relegates Sutil into the drop zone, but he improves to 16th with his final run! That pushes Grosjean down into the drop zone....

But Grosjean improves to 13th so Sutil will in fact drop out of Q1.

Maldonado can't improve on his time so he joins the usual suspects. So those relegated are Sutil, Maldonado, Bianchi, Kobayashi, Chilton and Ericsson.

Do not adjust your set - it is Raikkonen and Alonso first and second in Q1. Mercedes has been pole in every race bar one this year. Are we about to get our fourth different poleman of the year?

On the subject of Alonso... back to the debate earlier.

Anmol says: "Phil those four WDCs were won with Red Bull in their prime…Alonso won them against Schumi in a roaring Ferrari..."

The clock for Q2 is ticking, the second session is underway.

Indeed. Nearly two seconds separating Kobayashi and Ericsson.....

Raikkonen and Alonso head straight out, followed by the Williams and Force India drivers.

It will be all super-softs from here on out.

Hamilton complaining he's been released into too much traffic. He's backed off and found himself a bit of a gap.

Every driver out on track now, including Kvyat, who had a puncture at the end of Q1.

Perez sets the first benchmark of Q2, a 1:47.597 but Raikkonen is absolutely flying again.

Massa jumps ahead of Perez by less than a tenth before Raikkonen shatters both of their times with a 1:46.359, that's over a second faster and three tenths up on his best time from Q1. The Iceman excelling in the heat here.

But now Alonso jumps into P1 by less than a tenth. This confirms it, Ferrari are quick today.

Rosberg can't beat either Ferrari, he goes into P3. He's about two tenths down on Alonso.

Hamilton struggling with understeer on his run.

Hamilton's car looks like a real handful but he jumps into P1 by four hundredths of a second. Top three separated by less than a tenth, top five by two tenths.

Vettel's first Q2 lap puts him sixth.

Vergne currently into the top ten, but he's 0.06s off team-mate Kvyat with his first run.

I think everyone will need to go out again with this track getting faster and faster. There's one second covering first to 11th.

It will be a huge, huge call for any team to keep a driver in the garage for the remaining five minutes.

Ferrari have used two sets of new super-softs, however, which could hamper its chances of pole in Q3 with only one new set available.

Only three cars out on track, most waiting to go out for a final run. Massa, Bottas and Perez the men on track. They are joined by Hulkenberg, now, too.

Williams looks in trouble here, though. Remember the team struggled in Monaco, with both drivers failing to make Q3.

The Williams drivers massively out of sync, due to their timing of going out on track. Massa and Bottas will be on their flying laps as people emerge for out laps. Button moves out of the way for Massa as he exits the pits though, so far so good.

Track getting busier as Magnussen, Vettel and Rosberg leave the pits.

JEV also out on track, too.

Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Alonso and Hamilton still in the garage as we hit the final one minute and 40 seconds - about the sort of time you need to complete a lap> They won't be doing another lap then....

Massa jumps into P4 with his first run, moving 0.185s off Hamilton.

Ricciardo already down to fifth. This could get uncomfortable for Red Bull...

Hamilton, Alonso and Raikkonen should be fine with those times, but....

Button currently the highest profile name in the drop zone.

The clock has expired, so drivers can complete their current hot laps.

Gutierrez only goes 14th with his latest run. He will drop out of this session.

Perez has also pitted, meaning he misses out on the top ten shootout.

Button stays 11th! Vergne also misses out of Q3. Rosberg has gone purple in the first two sectors.

Magnussen climbs into P9 as Rosberg sets a massive 1:45.825 to go fastest - but at the expense of using a set of tyres while Hamilton saved him. That's some four tenths quicker than Hamilton.

Red Bull sixth and seventh. This is a battle between Ferrari and Mercedes at the moment.

Button told he missed out on Q3 by 20 milliseconds, as Ron Dennis watches on from the McLaren garage.

So, eliminated are Button, JEV, Hulkenberg, Gutierrez, Perez and Grosjean.

Magnussen getting better and better, isn't he? His last few race performances have been excellent. Hard to see how that doesn't put the pressure on Button tomorrow, with his seat potentially on the line.

Lots of replays of Hamilton running wide and locking up during that session. He really looks a bit uncomfortable in that car and Rosberg's recent lap suggests he might well have his number. Rosberg has always been good around here, remember, finishing 2nd in 2008.

Grosjean not a happy chappy out there. He sounds like a man just about ready to snap.

Here we go then. Moments away from Q3 and Ferrari might just have a shot at pole, while Rosberg seems to have the edge on Hamilton. Should be a corker.

The Q3 clock is ticking and this session is underway. Game on.

Ricciardo, Magnussen and Massa are the first men out on track. Raikkonen and Rosberg follow closely behind.

All then men out on track for their 'banker' laps.

If Mercedes had anything turned down in those first two sessions, they'll be giving it all full beans now.

Ricciardo on a scruffy lap out there.

Massa sets the first time, a 1:46.007.

Magnussen slots in just behind.

Ricciardo goes P2 but Raikkonen only goes third... one tenth off the Red Bull. Rosberg goes only fifth!

Alonso settles into P3, three one hundreths of a second off Raikkonen.

Hamilton can only manage sixth after a poor middle sector. Wow! No Mercedes in the top five with one more run to come.

So these guys will filter back into the pits, bolt on new tyres, and then head on back.

"If you've got any more front wing, put it in" says Hamilton over team radio.

Seeing a replay of Hamilton bouncing around over the kerbs. Still not looking comfortable out there, is he?

Ferrari will be kicking themselves if they are beaten to pole by a team that isn't Mercedes - esepcially Red Bull.

Ricciardo heads out very, very early, with four minutes remaining. Ballsy call from Red Bull. He'll be out of sync. I think Ricciardo has something left in the tank as his first run looked pretty average...

Track getting busier now. Hamilton followed out by Alonso.

Everyone now out on track now as Kvyat heads down the pit lane and onto the track. Hold onto your seats, this should be a little bit of a thriller.

Remember Rosberg is on a used set of super-softs after doing that late run in Q2.

Alonso really tailing Hamilton on their out-lap. Both trying to find some space for their flying laps.

Looks like Magnussen and Kvyat also on scrub super-soft tyres.

Raikkonen has no power! He's slowing down on his out lap and Ferrari tells him to stop on the circuit somewhere. What a blow for the Finn!

Ricciardo really throwing the car around again. Is this the lap for his first career pole? He goes purple in middle sector....

Ricciardo absolutely dancing with that car through the twisty final sector and he jumps into provisional pole with a 1:45.854! Huge crowds from the cheers as he does so, too.

The clock has expired but still times to come...

Big lock up for Hamilton into Turn 1 but he makes the apex.

Rosberg takes provisional pole from Ricciardo! By just a tenth!

But Hamilton snatches it back off him! By 0.007s. Magnificent lap from the Brit.

Vettel sneaks in behind Ricciardo. Alonso can't improve on fifth!

It all fell apart for Ferrari but came together for Mercedes in fine style! Hamilton edges Rosberg into P1 and Red Bull, out of nowhere really, lock out the front row.

"Damn it!" screams Rosberg as he's told Hamilton beat him to pole.

Seven-thousandths of a second. I don't know anything I can do in seven-thousanths of a second.

Raikkonen will start seventh after that late stoppage. That will be a fascinating interview later on...

Well. It might be a similar result and one we're used to but what a thriller!

Hamilton pulls into parc ferme. Haven't seen any emotion from him just yet - once again, let's see the reaction between the drivers.

It seemed everyone but Rosberg got a cheer as they crossed the line then, by the way. Not suggesting no-one was cheering Rosberg, but reaction to him was definitely muted.

Ricciardo ends his recent run of being outqualified by Vettel, beating his team-mate by a tenth.

So the championship contenders lock out the front three spots. A handshake between the Mercedes drivers, and Hamilton looks pretty chuffed - as you would imagine.

A contrite Vettel on the radio to Red Bull: "I have to apologise. I think 45.6, I had it in me. Every time I try to push, it doesn't work."

That's all we have time for from qualifying. As ever, thanks for joining our live coverage and please be sure to come back and do it again tomorrow for the main event - the Singapore Grand Prix. See you then.


ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices