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Join the debate on 606 By Sam Lyon
1001: The McLarens of Kovalainen and Hamilton are first out on the track - the latter on intermediate wet tyres by the look of things.
As the drivers pile out, it would appear Lewis is the only one on wets - I'll keep you posted. This session could be crucial in terms of the weekend, especially with rain forecast tomorrow.
0959: Moments away now - and you can follow the action (alongside my commentary of course) on Radio 5 Live sports extra... get involved.
"Alonso for BMW I reckon. With Heidfeld going backwards and the team going forwards it would make sense. The ideal choice for a 5- or 6-way fight for the title in '09."
Anon via text
0952: By the way, a quick thanks to *salti and *jollysilverking who are busting out some top tunes on 606 - I wonder what the drivers listen to to get themselves revved (ey fank yaow) up for the race? Come on, there has to be some top puns to exploit there...
0949: "With around 10 minutes to go before the start of the final practice session, the rain has stopped at Silverstone. The sun has been out, and the clouds are breaking up, but the track still looks damp. It will be interesting to see which tyres the drivers choose for their first laps of the hour-long session. With unsettled weather predicted for the rest of the weekend, the information the teams learn in the damp this morning could be very valuable."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0943: There's been plenty happening off the track this week - Donington Park being handed the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards, Lewis Hamilton chickening out (sorry, withdrawing for professional reasons) of a charity triathlon against Jenson Button and the 22-year-old then being named F1's biggest ever playboy (Eddie Irvine might have something to say about that)...
British GP will move to Donington
Hamilton pulled from charity race
Hamilton voted F1's top playboy of all time
...and now the future of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has hit the back pages. The Spanish Renault driver has said he will decide upon his future after September's Italian Grand Prix - and already the world and his mother have been linked with a move for him. What do we think? Ferrari would probably be his choice, but surely they will keep faith with Raikkonen and Massa? Call me crazy, but I have a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't be welcome back at McLaren, so what is he left with? Toyota? Honda? Red Bull? Let us know your thoughts.
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0939: "The sun's out now. It could be one of those days..."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0937: In practice yesterday, there was little to choose between Ferrari and McLaren - Felipe Massa dominating the morning session despite a crash at Stowe and Heikki Kovalainen came out on top in the afternoon.
McLaren & Ferrari set Friday pace
Lewis Hamilton - Britain's great hope for this weekend - was third in both sessions, and after two dismal races in Canada and France he'll be desperate to impress on his home ground.
Elsewhere, David Coulthard and Jenson Button will both have been happy with second practice on Friday - finishing 4th and 7th respectively - but may have to hope for a little help from the weather if they are to earn a podium finish on Sunday.
The BMWs, meanwhile, of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica looked surprisingly uncompetitive - it will be interesting to see if they can turn things around this morning in final practice - while the Williams of Nico Rosberg did almost enough late yesterday to suggest it may not be a two or three horse race tomorrow.
As with yesterday, we have our F1 guru Andrew Benson trackside, we have David Croft and Maurice Hamilton on Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live sports extra, we have my good self pulling it all together and providing my own unique/alternate take on things, and I want you to get involved as much as possible via 606 or text on 81111.
Join the debate on 606
0932: "Quite a contrast wth Friday this morning - Silverstone is blanketed in low, grey clouds, and it's raining - at first not that hard, but now it's tipping it down. This could turn into a blessing in disguise for those wishing for a Lewis Hamilton victory.
"The general view is that Ferrari are favourites in a dry race - despite the pace shown by McLaren in Friday practice. (One engineer from a rival team told me on Friday he thought it looked as if "McLaren were trying quite hard to look quick"). But Hamilton is super-fast in the wet, as he proved in Japan last year, and a wet race could play into his hands.
"A quick reminder of the forecast... apparently, it will continue like this for the rest of the weekend."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0930: "Let's get ready to rumble. Watch us reck the mic, watch us reck the mic, watch us reck the mic... psyche!"
Ah, the inimitable words of Ant and Dec. Who'd have thought two rather bad child actors from Byker Grove would go on to dominate the charts, Saturday night TV and Britain's light entertainment industry in general?
Anyway, those famous lyrics from the Brit Award nominated (seriously) single, are meant to signify that we've hit the business end of proceedings in this monster weekend of F1.
Silverstone may have learned only yesterday that it will not play host to the British Grand Prix from 2010 - that honour will go to Donington Park - but for now, it's all about Stowe corner, Hangar Straight and Becketts Outside.
(BBC)
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