Poland's Robert Kubica proved his BMW Sauber team are recovering from their poor start to the year by clocking the fifth best time in his revised car ahead of Italian Jarno Trulli in his Toyota.

Defending drivers world champion Lewis Hamilton did his utmost but the Briton could not improve on seventh for McLaren Mercedes ahead of German Timo Glock in the second Toyota in the final rush of laps.

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Two-times world champion, Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Renault, was 10th ahead of Finn Heikki Kovalainen in the second McLaren.

The two Red Bulls of German Sebastian Vettel and Australian Mark Webber could not improve on 16th and 13th respectively, a result that suggested they are holding back their best for the afternoon qualifying session.