"Looks like there's a little bit of rain on the radar, in around five minutes time, only light."

Image source, Getty Images

Make the most of dry laps, boys. That's how Nico Hulkenberg took his one and only pole position.

"Max, rain expected in around 15-20 minutes."

Image source, Getty Images

I think there's a little bit of Guenther Steiner in Gino D'Acampo.

Image source, Rex Features

Talking about Ferrari fans going the extra mile to get a decent vantage point at Monza.

These spectators are scrambling up the steep banking of some old track to get the best view.

Presumably, judging by the sharp points on that fencing, the powers-that-be would rather they weren't doing that...

All but one are out on mediums and hards, and that one is Robert Kubica on softs.

The rain clouds have wandered off to Milan and the Monza circuit is dry.

Alfa Romeo's technical team have had a race against time to get Kimi Raikkonen's car back in working order following the Finn's spin in FP1.

We will soon find out how successful they were. Let's see if Raikkonen gets any track time in this session.

Image source, Getty Images

Ready to roll on......... slicks? The track is dry!

Nico Hulkenberg says: “The track is high-speed with a lot of demand on the engine, high-speed and the need for maintaining momentum around the lap. We have a low downforce setting on the car, the lowest of the season, to allow the top straight-line speed.”

A home race for Ferrari, Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi, and Guenther Steiner.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer at Monza

They say most Formula 1 drivers want to drive for Ferrari at one stage, but so far Lewis Hamilton has bucked the trend, committing his career to Mercedes instead.

At 34, time is running out for Hamilton if he wants to move to Maranello but so far he has resisted the temptation, and he does not sound especially persuaded. Would he fancy a move to Ferrari one day, he was asked on Thursday. “It’s a question of whether it’s part of the game plan,” Hamilton said.

Image source, Rex Features

“I was just asked upstairs how I would feel if I ended my career without driving for Ferrari. Honestly, when you’re part of Mercedes, you are part of a family for a lifetime, provided you stay with them, obviously. Look at Stirling Moss, even (Juan Manuel) Fangio is still honoured and you are part of the history and they look after you for the rest of your life. That’s important to me. Loyalty is a very important part. But if there is a time in my life when I decide I want to change, then it potentially could be an option. I don’t know whether it is at the moment.”

He wrote on Instagram: “It's a pity that the journey with Renault will end after the season, especially as we haven't been able to reach our goals yet. We had hoped to take another step forward this season, but unfortunately we haven't managed that so far.

“It is well known that the choice of drivers is not only about performance, it is a whole bundle of factors. But that's the way it is. Surely we would all have liked to see it differently. but nevertheless, I'll keep my focus and try to reach the maximum success for our team in the remaining races!

“With regard to 2020, I am confident to find a good solution, but there is nothing to announce at the moment.”

No change since last week.

Nico Hulkenberg's future in F1 is still up in the air, Charles Leclerc's 2020 drive hasn't been confirmed by Ferrari, and the situation at Red Bull and Toro Rosso hangs on Alex Albon's results in a Red Bull which can't be properly measured until Singapore at the earliest when he and Max Verstappen line-up on the grid without engine penalties.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer at Monza

Image source, .

Aldo Costa, a key figure at Mercedes through their domination of the last few Formula 1 seasons, is to leave the team at the end of the month.

He joined as engineering director in 2011 and was in that role through their world title wins from 2014-18.

The Italian stepped into an advisory role for this season and is to join Italian race-car constructor Dallara as chief technical officer in January.

It is the latest step in a regeneration of Mercedes' technical department.

Costa had previously spent many years at Ferrari, where he was influential in their dominant era with Michael Schumacher in the early years of this century.

Read the full story.

Thoughts on the track? Here's a random comment from the Italian: “You need the lowest drag possible at Monza because of the long straights. We will have, like every year, a different rear wing.”

F1 commentary team of Jack Nicholls, Jolyon Palmer, and Claire Cottingham will be back from 13:55 BST at the top of the page.

James Hutton: I’ve not seen that something in Charles yet that makes me think he’s WDC material. In Lewis, Seb and Max you see an inherent single mindedness and focus. Maybe it will come, maybe if he thinks he can win the Championship and is not a No.2 driver things will change

Image source, EPA