Petrov on pole

The Russian, who has been feeling poor all day after picking up an infection on his arm, produced a quickest lap of 1:30.007, nearly four tenths faster than nearest rivals Giedo van der Garde and Nico Huelkenberg.

Petrov's two points for pole helped him close the gap on series leader Huelkenberg to 25 points.

The Barwa Addax driver led the field out of the pits at the start of the session and sat at the top of the timesheets for the remaining 30 minutes, with his rivals unable to get close.

Such was his domiannce that the Russian even set the second and third fastest laps on his second set of tyres and was comfortable enough to get out of the car well before the end of the session.

Sergio Perez set an impressive fourth quickest time, just ahead of Lucas di Grassi - though the Italian has a ten grid place penalty to serve after race two at Spa.

Pastor Maldonado was fifth quickest ahead of the morning's fastest driver, Roldan Rodriguez, who ran wide at Parabolica and seemed unable to improve thereafter.