Qualifying 1: Enge shows his class

Enge driving on of the new Lola B2/50 cars for the first time in anger set a best lap of 1m27.003s around the Brazilian circuit. He recorded the lap midway through the 40-minute session and looked in control for much of the remainder. However the dying seconds Super Nova's Sebastien Bourdais made a last gasp effort and came within 0.04s of stealing the provisional pole.

Local favourite Ricardo Sperafico gave the crowd plenty to cheer by setting the third best time, while brother Rodrigo was eighth. Three Brazilian's filled the top five places in fact, with Mario Haberfeld fourth and some-time Williams F1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia fifth.

Track conditions were quite difficult and a number of drivers had spins. Least fortunate of these was Patrick Friesacher who sustained heavy damaged to his car after going into the barriers backwards on the exit of Turn 3. He currently lies back in 14th and will be hoping the Red Bull Jr mechanics can repair the car in time for him to take part in the second session later today.

For full qualifying session 1 results, click here.