2009 Hungarian Grand Prix Race day at the Hungaroring

Alonso

A large Saturday crowd was on hand at the circuit and they witnessed a busy final practice and qualifying period.

McLaren Mercedes was the team on everyone's lips, following their performance on Friday. The 60-minute morning practice session proved that they would be a major force this weekend, as Lewis Hamilton topped the times with 1m21.009s, set late in the hour as the drivers tried out the super-soft tyres.

Nick Heidfeld gave BMW something to smile about with second place, with Nico Rosberg again showing well in third, Heikki Kovalainen backing up Hamilton's speed well in fourth, and Sebastien Buemi fifth for Toro Rosso.

McLaren remains on top in final practice

The only major incident during the final practice befell Adrian Sutil, who got a wobble on approaching Turn 8 and crashed into the tyre barrier - giving the Force India mechanics a lot of work to get his car ready for qualifying.

Sutil's car was still under repair as the knockout session began, but the team did a great job to get him out with several minutes remaining in the first period. The German did well given the circumstances, but found himself eliminated in 18th place, along with Nick Heidfeld, Giancarlo Fisichella, Robert Kubica and Jaime Alguersuari.

There would be more chaos in the second phase of qualifying. Many 'big name' drivers found themselves in the dropzone during the 15-minute scramble. Rubens Barrichello suffered a suspension problem on his final run and was unable to improve. The Brazilian was eliminated for the first time this season. Joining him would be Sebastien Buemi, Jarno Trulli, Timo Glock and Nelson Piquet.

Just nine cars would take place in the final scramble for the top places on today's grid, following Massa's serious accident at the end of Q2.

Nico Rosberg put down the early marker for the rest to aim at, and predictably they did. Fernando Alonso in the improved Renault R29 posted a great 1m21.569s to go quickest ... and then the timing screens went blank. As the cars came in to parc ferme, the general belief was that Alonso had done enough for pole, but for several minutes no-one was certain.

A short while later the confirmation came through that Alonso had indeed bagged the pole, with Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber second and third, and championship leader Button way down in eighth place.

Alonso takes pole in chaotic session

Hello everyone and welcome to AUTOSPORT Live for round ten of the 2009 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

The sport has travelled to eastern Europe this weekend for the final race before the four-week summer break, and the chasing pack are keen to make a further dent in Jenson Button's and Brawn's championship lead.

It's the 24th Hungarian Grand Prix from the 4.381 km Hungaroring circuit, near Budapest.

The race itself starts at 12:00 GMT, but before then we will review Saturday's action at the circuit incase you missed it, take a look at this morning's support races as well as updating the latest weather situation. We'll also analyse the weight of fuel onboard each car and what that may mean for the first stint of the race.