Postpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Fernando Alonso puts together a good lap, going P9 with a 1:34.499.
"I push like an animal," he says.
Summary
Hamilton on pole, Vettel 2nd by 1,000th of a second from Bottas
Mercedes and Ferrari swapping top times
Giovinazzi crashes heavily, Verstappen out in Q1 with problem
Get involved #bbcf1
Postpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Postpublished at 08:11 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analystSometimes we scratch our heads at our Ferrari run their weekends but at the moment, given the performance of their car, they can afford to try something.
Postpublished at 08:11 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
The Ferraris are out on softs - the only cars on that compound of tyre with the rest on supersofts.
Sebastian Vettel goes quickest of all with 1:33.078, two tenths quicker than Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Raikkonen goes P3 with a 1:33.341.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analystRomain Grosjean can count himself lucky he didn't cause terminal damage to that car.
Postpublished at 08:08 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has gone fastest with 1:33.333.
Image source, Getty ImagesSpin!published at 08:07 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Romain Grosjean spins across then track at the exit of the final corner, he just about keeps it out of the barriers but has picked up a puncture.
Postpublished at 08:06 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Lance Stroll quickest at the moment with a 1:35.136. Antonio Giovinazzi continues him impressive stint in F1 by going second quickest, four tenths quicker than fellow Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson.
Postpublished at 08:04 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Several other drivers climb into their cars and head on out - Lewis Hamilton among them.
A little bird has just had a very, very close call, almost getting snagged by Antonio Giovinazzi's Sauber.
Postpublished at 08:03 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Very, very quiet start to qualifying. Three minutes in and just the two Saubers and one Williams out there at the moment.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
By first out I mean first out on the track, not eliminated.
But you knew that.
Postpublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
First out - Marcus Ericsson, Antonio Giovinazzi and Lance Stroll.
Problems for Red Bull?published at 08:00 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Lots and lots of work going on on Daniel Ricciardo's car. The Red Bull is up on the stands and not going anywhere anytime soon.
First qualifying startspublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Off we go!
The first part of qualifying is under way.
Image source, EPAGet involved #bbcf1published at 07:58 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Desmarkie: McLaren say the China course doesn't suit their package. Currently they'd lose in a trolley dash round the supermarket car park.
Wouldn't happen. Fernando Alonso doesn't like supermarkets.
Postpublished at 07:55 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraCommentary is live now on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. That means we are just FIVE minutes away from the start of qualifying.
Get involved #bbcf1published at 07:52 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Becky: Up early like a true F1 nerd to watch qualifying.
We're all nerds here, Becky.
Postpublished at 07:49 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Image source, getPut the phone away, Stoffel.
Will McLaren get both cars through to Q2 this time? Stoffel Vandoorne went out in the first part of qualifying in Australia while Fernando Alonso qualified 13th.
McLaren have played down expectations, saying this circuit does not suit their package.
Postpublished at 07:46 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Bragging rights at stakepublished at 07:42 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
Stat dump time.
Ferrari may trail the Silver Arrows when it comes to Saturday qualifying records in China but come race day, it's a different matter.
Mercedes have claimed pole here five times to Ferrari's one (Fernando Alonso in 2013).
Race wins, however, are much more even - the score is currently 4-4.
Who can get their noses in front?
Image source, EPAGet involved #bbcf1published at 07:39 British Summer Time 8 April 2017
It's all about Ferrari for Gill on #bbcf1, external
Image source, .