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606: DEBATE
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By Chris Whyatt
BBC Sport’s Sarah Holt on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/sarahholtf1)“I am keeping my eye on Lewis Hamilton today. What will his updated McLaren do”
1023: Hamilton, flying, is quickest thus far. Ferrari new boy Luca Badoer was third fastest not long ago. Yet he was three seconds behind the world champ. And only three cars had posted times. Much-maligned Valencia looks charming. Grosjean second right now. All but one car has been out for at least a lap.1017:****From nesholland on606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56103202s_fromedit=1&s_type=15&s_sport=motorsport)"My prediction is Alonso pole with Hamilton splitting the Brawns, Button 2, Ham 3, Barichello 4th. Then in the race, Ham will kers it into 1st, Alonso will pit after a few laps and the podium will be Hamilton 1, Button 2 and Barichello 3."1012: Brilliant stuff from Sebastien Buemi yesterday, who was whimpering in his car about a burnt foot as his Toro Rosso car overheated. Turns out he didn’t actually singe his tootsies. He was just being soft. No practice times posted yet. Badoer’s out on the track. Oh and sorry folks. Couple of issues with live video right now. Refresh again to bring it back (as Moloko might say).1009: BBC Sport’s Sarah Holt in Valencia: "Hola todos. I write to you from under gorgeous blue skies. I’ve been at the track since 8am - just in time for a bowl of Special K at Ferrari and then I was off to discover Andrew Benson bending Ross Brawn’s ear at Brawn HQ - the Brawn boss was building up for a big day by way of a strawberry smoothie instead of the full English some of the crew were tucking into. Brawn still have some fine-tuning to do during final practice and it’ll be interesting to see how Lewis Hamilton gets on. The world champion didn’t do much running on Friday after damaging his front wing so it will be interesting to find out just how fast his updated McLaren is."1003: Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is first out on the track in his much-improved McLaren.Lots of philosophising from the young Brit yesterday about enjoying his summer hols, but wanting to get back onto the asphalt and crush the likes of championship-chasing Red Bull and Brawn.0958: Seconds to go before a couple of multi-million dollar nimble hunks of carbon fibre glide out onto the harbour-side streets of Valencia… (UK users) please refresh your browsers to see live video action at the top of this page.0948: BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson in Valencia: "Ate in the same restaurant last night as Eddie Jordan, among whose companions were former Ferrari and McLaren F1 driver Stefan Johansson. When EJ and friends came over for a chat late on, Eddie was accosted by an enthusiastic Danish fan, who wanted his photo taken with him. EJ beckoned Johansson over, saying to the Dane: ‘You’ll want Stefan in it, too, I’m sure.’ ‘Oh, you were a racing driver, too’ said the man. Ouch.
"Brawn are confident they will be quick this weekend - they are not having the same problems with generating optimum tyre temperatures in the baking Valencia heat as at the last three races. They are less sure they have solved the wider problem, though. They have some ideas to work on, but the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend, where temperatures will almost certainly be about half those here, will be the acid test."0941: Some early 606ers have been dismissing Schumacher’s failed return as ‘another Ecclestone publicity stunt’. Sceptical. Turning thoughts to today. The third and final practice session - a mere limber-up, the equivalent of Usian Bolt touching his toes - starts in about 20 minutes. RBOK [Real Business of Qualifying] starts at 1300 BST. Who’s your money on Expect fireworks.0936: That’s what’s happening next season, according to McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh - the first senior F1 figure to publicly acknowledge the mooted move long considered a fairly open secret. Your thoughts on that, and today’s European Grand Prix qualifying of course, are most welcome: try 606 or 81111 text. My telepathy skills haven’t been the same since turning 30.0930: Greetings all. The crushing on-track absence of Michael Schumacher may have left Formula 1 a little deflated yesterday on the first day back after the summer break. But, as the sport proves time and time again, another huge story is always just around the corner.Fernando Alonso to Ferrari anyoneThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.