BBC One

Qualifying coverage is under way now on BBC One and on this page.

Image source, Reuters

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost would not say whether Carlos Sainz would be taking part in qualifying but, judging from the condition of his car, it is looking unlikely.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“Carlos Sainz’s nasty crash in final practice was a reminder - as if one were needed - of the dangers that can never be fully removed from Formula 1. The extent of Sainz’s injuries is not known, but he gave a thumbs up as he was lifted into an ambulance, which was a good sign. Now, attention will quickly turn to how his car ended up going underneath the Tecpro barriers at Turn 13.

“Former Jordan and Jaguar technical director Gary Anderson has got in touch to say that this was always a likely danger following the introduction of lower noses. Anderson has long expressed his concerns about cars ‘submarining’ in this way as a result of the new designs - and his big worry is one car rear-ending a stalled car on the grid, the consequences of which, if a car did go under another at speed, do not bear thinking about. However, the FIA put a lot of research into the low noses, which were themselves introduced on safety grounds, mainly to limit the dangers to drivers if one car T-bones another. This design is what the FIA considers is the best current compromise.”

"Of course we would like to run more," added Valtteri Bottas. "It is the same for everyone. 

"I think we got most out of the car in FP3, I think we will be OK. I like this circuit."  

Bottas, who holds the lap record at Sochi, was second fastest this morning.

After Friday's practice was disrupted by a diesel spillage and rain, and with final practice having been cut short, qualifying today could prove interesting with teams having had very little time to prepare.

You can read Andrew Benson's report on final practice here.

A reminder of what happened this morning if you have just joined us.

• Final practice stopped halfway through after Carlos Sainz crash
• The Toro Rosso driver gave a thumbs up as he was taken away on a stretcher
• Qualifying, as things stand, will go ahead as normal at 13:00 BST

Lee McKenzie has just caught a word with Valtteri Bottas, who says: "I drove just past when the crash had happened. I saw him in the barriers and luckily there was good news and that he is OK and hopefully he can continue this weekend.

"I have no safety concerns. I think this crash proved the cars are very safe."

That's 13:00 BST.

There's not too long until our qualifying show gets under way on BBC One, with the programme starting 12:10 BST. You can, as ever, watch online via this page too.

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

"From the real time data sent back to the pits that were seeing something like a sudden unloading of a wheel or a part that has failed on the car then it may suggest the closing of the DRS was a little bit later.

"What happens when you have the wing go back into its normal operating position there is a small period of time before the flow of the air reattaches and generates the correct amount of downforce that the driver would then experience in other braking zones."

At the point the session was stopped, Nico Rosberg was fastest, with Valtteri Bottas second and Lewis Hamilton third, although teams still had around half an hour of work to do.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter