Zoom Varying degrees of fortune and pace in China

McLaren Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton has been the standout driver all weekend in China, and the championship leader duly dominated qualifying for this potentially decisive round. However, Heikki Kovalainen looks unlikely to play a role in the outcome from fifth on the grid. "It will be a very important day and all the team wants to make the best out of it," said Mercedes' Norbert Haug.

Ferrari: Felipe Massa's face told the story better than any words could; he was bitterly disappointed to qualify third, but at least his championship-assistant team-mate Kimi Raikkonen shares the front of the grid with Hamilton. "A very tough qualifying, up against a very strong rival," said engineer Luca Baldisserri.

Renault: Despite an uncompetitive morning session, Fernando Alonso's fourth position proves he is now an ever-present force in the upper part of the field. Nelson Piquet missed a spot in Q3 by seven-thousandths of a second.

Red Bull Renault: Mark Webber's P6 looked strong, but he must move ten places down following his spectacular morning engine failure. "Let's hope for some rain tomorrow," said the Australian, amid forecasts of possible showers. David Coulthard, who failed to move out of the initial Q1 segment, was furious with BMW's Nick Heidfeld, who was penalised for holding up the Scot. "It was very un-sportsman like behaviour," he fumed.

BMW Sauber: Heidfeld, fastest of all in morning practice, moved through all qualifying segments and booked a solid seventh place on the grid, but he must move back three places after stewards deemed he blocked Coulthard at the end of Q2. Factoring in Webber's penalty, he will start the race ninth. The German told reporters: "In the last sector, when I supposedly blocked him, he was faster than his previously fastest lap. So I don't understand," said Heidfeld. Robert Kubica's slim title chances took a hit, when after a weekend of struggling with car balance, he lines up just P11.

Toro Rosso Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel's weekend was not impressive until qualifying, when he moved past his team-mate to qualify eighth, becoming seventh after Webber's penalty, and then sixth after Heidfeld's penalty. "It was impressive," veteran engineer Giorgio Ascanelli admitted. Sebastien Bourdais was the slowest qualifier in the decisive Q3 segment. "I had no option tyres left, but I am very happy with this result," said the Frenchman.