The top seven cars were separated by only three-tenths of a second with world championship leading Briton Jenson Button of Brawn second ahead of Finn Heikki Kovalainen in a McLaren.

Alonso clocked a best time of one minute 15.233 seconds ahead of today's crucial qualifying session, which in normal, dry conditions, usually delivers the final race order, other dramas notwithstanding.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.79%

AAP 42.62%

INC 24.59%

Submit

View All In Poll

It was the first time this year that the Spaniard has topped the times in any session.

Button's Brawn GP teammate veteran Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was fourth ahead of the compatriot Felipe Massa and his Ferrari teammate Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

Defending drivers world champion Briton Lewis Hamilton, who was last year's Monaco Winner, was seventh on a day when experience was again a valuable quality on the tight, unforgiving barrier-lined street circuit winding around the famous harbour.

The two Red Bulls of German tyro Sebastian Vettel and Australian Mark Webber wound up eighth and 10th with German Nico Rosberg sandwiched between them in ninth place for Williams.

After 36 hours of seemingly non-stop political bickering among the teams and with the ruling body, it was a relief to the paddock to hear their cars running again. But further meetings are expected later today.