Ahead of today's opening session the air temperature is 25 degrees and the track temperature is 33 degrees. It is bright but cloudy.

In terms of updates, Ferrari has a new Front Corner featuring an enlarged front brake duct cooling exit to cover off the high duty and requirements of the circuit.

Red Bull has a new Rear corner with a re-profiled inboard wing assembly, the revision achieved by modularity of the parts to implement a camber increase to the assembly for more local load whilst maintaining the flow stability.

Mercedes has a new Front Wing whose reduced chord flap drops local front wing load to enable an appropriate car balance to be achieved with a low downforce rear wing.

Racing Bulls have a new Front Corner and Rear Corner. The front brake duct has been modified to increase cooling flow to the front brakes, to suit the requirements of the circuit, as has the rear brake duct.

And that's it.

Having missed media day due to feeling unwell, Russell is seemingly fully recovered and in his Mercedes.

Colapinto is first out, followed by Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bearman and Ocon. As more drivers emerge softs appear to be the order of the day, the red banded C6 being the softest in Pirelli's range.

Norris is told to pit as the team needs to "remove something".

As Hulkenberg posts a benchmark 47.422, teammate Bortoleto heads down the escape road at Turn 3.

Verstappen posts a 46.121 as Lawson does a Bortoleto at Turn 12.

Russell goes top with a 45.914, but Hadjar responds with a 45.904.

"I can smell burning, I think it's the brakes," reports Russell.

As Albon loses a mirror, Piastri is told to pit following a list of urgent-sounding instructions. As the Australian climbs from his car and his crew swarm over it like worker ants it doesn't look good.

No sooner has Norris gone top (44.274) than Russell responds with a 43.747.

The session is red-flagged as there is a piece of carbon fibre in Turn 16, seemingly shed by Sainz. A marshal has trouble removing the debris which has become wedged under the kerb.

The session resumes but nobody appears eager to get back out.

McLaren reveals that Piastri has a power unit issue.

Despite the greenness of the track and the need to lay down some rubber, the lull goes on and on and on.

Norris is quickest, ahead of Russell, Leclerc, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Hadjar, Albon, Hulkenberg and Ocon.

The situation isn't helped by the fact that though the session has resumed the yellow flag warning keeps appearing.

Seemingly the debris is actually rubber and has bonded to the track. Nonetheless the clock is still ticking with just 27 minutes remaining.

The session officially resumes at 13:09 with 21 minutes remaining.

Sainz is first out, followed by Hadjar, Albon, Bortoleto and Lawson.

Again, Bortoleto appears to have a problem turning his car and heads down the escape road at Turn 2. This is probably down to the greenness of the track more than anything, the Brazilian lacking confidence.

Lawson goes fourth with a 44.347, while Hulkenberg improves to seventh.

Piastri goes ninth with a 44.852 but is demoted when Hamilton posts a 44.509.

Verstappen goes second, 0.043s off Norris's pace.

As ever traffic is an issue, Hadjar one of several drivers complaining about the actions of rivals.

Alonso improves to eleventh with a 44.723 as Norris, on fresh softs, consolidates his top spot with a 42.704. Teammate Piastri goes third with a 43.863, 1.159s off the pace.

"I've clipped the wall," reports Hamilton who is told he has a puncture. "Front wing as well," he adds.

Meanwhile, teammate Leclerc goes second (43.256) and Albon fourth (43.563).

A 44.164 puts Bortoleto tenth.

Replay shows Albon clouting the wall at Turn 15 with his rear-right.

With 5 minutes remaining, all bar Russell are on track.

Tsunoda goes fifth with a 43.738, as his teammate has to make use of the escape road at Turn 15. "My car is coming off the ground under braking," he reports.

Piastri goes second (43.014), still 0.310s on his teammate.

Hamilton improves to twelfth.

As Lawson does well to avoid a crawling Hamilton, heads down the escape road at Turn 8, while Ocon appears to have a problem and slowly makes his way back to the pits.

The session ends. Norris is quickest, ahead of Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Albon, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Sainz, Lawson and Hadjar.

Antonelli is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Alonso, Bearman, Stroll, Ocon, Colapinto and Gasly.