A chance now to see what McLaren can do on the supersofts, Jenson Button has just completed his outlap on the red-walled tyre. 

Stoffel Vandoorne hasn't made the switch to the faster compound yet.

Sebastian Vettel, on supersofts, fluffs his lap on the final corner, running wide. "OK I messed that one up," he says.

That you did Seb. If it is any consolation, he wasn't going to beat the pace of the Mercedes anyway.

Lewis Hamilton was faster than his team-mate through the first sector but Nico Rosberg nails sectors two and three, improving his benchmark time to 1:31.001. Hamilton can't beat that, he's round in 1:31.242.  

The rest of the field are following Williams' lead by reaching for the supersofts as they embark on qualifying sims, Mercedes included and at the moment Lewis Hamilton is on a quicker lap than Nico Rosberg...

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"We didn't see the best of either Williams. They both locked a tyre and need to brake a little earlier. It is one thing Williams need to do this season, the drivers and the team have to stop little mistakes. It is a good car, they just need to dial out those mistakes."

Valtteri Bottas slots in just ahead of his Williams team-mate Felipe Massa in fourth after a 1:32.792. Barely anything between the two, though.

Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas are the first drivers to give the supersofts a run in Bahrain. Felipe Massa is the first to cross the line on these tyres and goes forth quickest with 1:32.873. 

Now here comes Bottas, what can he do?

Sad to read, Andy. What would it take to reignite your interest?

Just watching Nico Hulkenberg swoop around the circuit and as the purple neon lights reflect off the black parts of his Force India it looks like something from Tron. A real treat for the eyes in Bahrain. 

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton put down his first timed lap a little earlier and went second fastest, two tenths off Nico Rosberg's time. Sebastian Vettel (1:32.650) is third fastest with 20 minutes gone.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"There's something about Jolyon Palmer that reminds me of Damon Hill - sort of unflustered and calm. I really rate him."

Jolyon Palmer runs wide at the final turn, only a minor off but he loses a couple of tenths of a second off his lap. He currently has the 17th fastest time.

Palmer finished a hugely impressive 11th in his first Formula 1 race at the Australian GP. Will he get into the points this weekend?

Another shot of the sunset? Go on then, last one.

Taking full advantage of these stunning sky shots before it drops completely dark above the circuit. 

Twelve minutes in and the only two drivers we are yet to see on the circuit are Sebastian Vettel and Marcus Ericsson.

Yes, Mercedes are out on the track, and yes they have gone fastest,

Carlos Sainz set his time on the medium tyres but Nico Rosberg, on softs, swiftly pops up into P1 after a 1:32.173 - the fastest time of the weekend.

Lewis Hamilton has also emerged from the pits and is on a fast lap now...

Bernie Ecclestone says Formula 1 is "cheating" its fans because the quality of the show is poor. Here are some of your views...