2011 Indian Grand Prix The Indian Grand Prix

The German leads them into the start-finish straight and pulls into pole position.

Soft tyres are the main choice in the midfield scrap, while di Resta, Petrov and Perez are gambling on the harder option.

Vettel backs the pack up a little now as he makes the turn for home.

Round through the sweeping second sector of the circuit now and head back towards the final few corners.

Vettel leads the field down the long straight between Turns 3 and 4 as the fans rise in anticipation of the start.

Glock has been elevated to 22nd on the grid, after the Virgin team lobbied the FIA following the provisional line-up showing him in last.

The formation lap begins at the Buddh International Circuit and Vettel leads the pack away from the grid.

The engines fire with a minute to the formation lap.

Repairs appear to be completed on Alonso's front wing, with the Ferrari looking ready for action from third on the grid.

Drivers are making final preparations with just a couple of minutes remaining now before the first-ever formation lap in India.

Track temperature is 38 Celsius and air temperature is up to 31 degrees, as the large crowd takes up position ahead of the start.

There is just five minutes to go until the formation lap begins at the Buddh International Circuit.

But the track is very dirty off the racing line, meaning overtaking could be very tricky for the attacking driver.

Two DRS zones are available at this new venue, one down the pit straight followed by a second activated halfway down the long back straight.

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Several Ferrari mechanics are busily making last-minute repairs to the front wing on Alonso's car down on the grid.

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The main grandstand is packed and the fans roar with pride at the end of the anthem, while the drivers move back to their cars to get ready for this afternoon's race.

A good crowd is on hand around the circuit to celebrate India's first race. The spectators remain standing to respect the national anthem.

The entire grid pauses for a minute of silence to remember Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli. Their loss in tragic accidents has been a big shock to the motorsport community worldwide.

Alonso finally wraps up his laps to the grid and his Ferrari is pushed into his third-place slot.

Many drivers have been lapping to the grid on hard tyres, preserving their soft rubber as much as possible for the race.

After a raft of penalties were applied, here's how the grid will line up for today's race: Pos Driver Team 1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 9. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 14. Bruno Senna Renault 15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 16. Vitaly Petrov Renault 17. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 20. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 22. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 24. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth

Rubens Barrichello tours through the pitlane and is back on track on his way to the grid.

Alonso blasts through the lengthy pitlane in his Ferrari, practicing a start on his way out towards the first corner.

Conditions are fine, dry and warm as we go into the race, capping a great weather week at this new venue.

Hazy sunshine will continue this afternoon, as air temperature climbs to 31 degrees and track temperature begins to cool from a high of 39 Celsius. A light north-westerly breeze will act as a tail wind down the long straight to Turn 4, aiding top speed.

Button heads out of the McLaren garage for a lap to take up his fourth-place slot on the grid.

Massa is on track in his Ferrari, repaired overnight after his suspension-breaking clout of the kerbs in qualifying yesterday.

Here's how the championships stand as the season draws to a close: World Championship standings, round 16: Drivers: Constructors: 1. Vettel 349 1. Red Bull-Renault 558 2. Button 222 2. McLaren-Mercedes 418 3. Alonso 212 3. Ferrari 310 4. Webber 209 4. Mercedes 127 5. Hamilton 196 5. Renault 72 6. Massa 98 6. Force India-Mercedes 49

Several drivers quickly heading out on reconnaissance laps, with most teams planning a pass through the pits to practice a start.

The pitlane is now open, allowing drivers to join the track and check over the basic functions of their cars before the start of the race.