Postpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
The early benchmark is set by Carlos Sainz as he does a 1:36.575, a couple of tenths over the predicted cut off point to get into Q2.
Summary
Vettel on pole in first Ferrari lock-out for nine years
Bottas 3rd, Hamilton 4th
Palmer crashes out in Q1
Sunday's race coverage from 11:30 BST
Postpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Postpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentatorWe will definitely see cars staying out on ultra softs doing multiple laps.
Postpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Ultrasofts are the choice of the field apart from Sebastian Vettel, who has supersofts on his Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton is on ultrasofts.
Postpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
First qualifying startspublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
The first part of qualifying is under way. Several drivers are straight out including Jolyon Palmer. Renault have managed to get that engine done in double quick time. Top work.
Postpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Postpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentatorTo get through to Q2 the estimation here in the pitlane is you will have to do a 1:36.2.
Bottas one to watchpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analystValtteri Bottas has not just looked strong this weekend but also at the last race. If we rewind 12 months ago or even 24 months ago here in Sochi, he has been extremely competitive. He has the rhythm of the circuit. I think it is most likely Bottas who will take a charge to Sebastian Vettel.
Postpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraFIVE minutes to go until qualifying gets under way.
You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentary right now via this very page.
Postpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
The season so far...published at 12:49 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
It's advantage Sebastian Vettel so far this season. He has two wins, while Lewis Hamilton has one.
Image source, .Hamilton has won this race twice before, however, while Mercedes have led every single lap in every race at the circuit.
Image source, .Postpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
It will be fascinating to see how Valtteri Bottas gets on in the Mercedes on a circuit he has performed so well on in the past.
He finished third in qualifying for each of the three previous races while driving for Williams.
Image source, Getty ImagesGet involved #bbcf1published at 12:38 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
James on #bbcf1 believes the Ferrari pace is genuine. He has predicted Sebastian Vettel to take pole position with Lewis Hamilton only doing enough to get a place on the second row.
Image source, .In great companypublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesPole position for Lewis Hamilton today would be the 64th of his career, putting him within one of the late Ayrton Senna's career total and four behind Michael Schumacher's record 68.
Postpublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesNo wonder Nico Hulkenberg is smiling.
He set himself up nicely for qualifying by posting the seventh quickest time in final practice with a 1:35.662, two tenths quicker than Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull.
It was not a good session for his Renault team-mate Jolyon Palmer, however. The Briton managed just four laps before he was brought in for an engine change. Hopefully he'll be able to get out in time for qualifying.
Get involved #bbcf1published at 12:24 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Earlier we were asking you to describe what animal an F1 team would be. As you do.
We've had flamingos, sloths and squirrels so far. Any more? Let us know via #bbcf1
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
#bbcf1
Christopher: Stoffel is looking a bit disappointing so far this year. Maybe McLaren should've kept Button.
Babatunde Sakuri: If Lewis doesn't win tomorrow, he should forget about winning championship this year. He needs to concentrate more on his driving.
Image source, Rex FeaturesWho will be on pole?published at 12:18 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
Image source, .Go on then, have a go at predicting who the top three drivers in qualifying will be.
Based on what we've seen in practice, this will be the hardest one to predict so far this season.
Postpublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
The last time Ferrari locked out the front row? Nine years ago, at the 2008 French Grand Prix.
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 29 April 2017
This is how final practice finished up with Sebastian Vettel fastest after clocking a 1:34.001. His Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was second, with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton third and fourth respectively.