1430: That's all folks. For now. See you for the race itself tomorrow. Once again I'll be your guide. Right here at 1130 BST. Cannae wait.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who will start in fourth for the Italian Grand Prix: "We didn't find the right balance or speed all weekend, yesterday we struggled with balance and top speed, today we are lacking a bit of braking stability and top speed. That was the negative part of the weekend that we are never happy with the car. But fourth is a good result, it opens us a possibility of the podium, which is very good news regarding how the weekend went."

1423: No holiday of a weekend for Ferrari's Alonso on home soil...

Lewis Hamilton, starting second in Monza: "I didn't have another half a second in the bank, maybe two or three tenths. Sebastian was mega quick today. That was untouchable." And Button back in third: "I agree with Lewis. We were never going to challenge Seb. The strange thing is they don't look like they're carrying a lot of wing, but they're still half a second quicker than us in the second sector, which is the high-speed corners. Difficult to understand."

1421: And what about McLaren's English duo?

Italian Grand Prix pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel: "We thought it would be much closer than that. We knew we had more time in the car and I had some cars in front which always helps in Monza, but we did not think we would be on pole by such a big margin at a track that for the last two years did not suit us. We have quite a racy approach, so I'm happy."

1419: Let's hear from the man of the season...

1415: That's also Vettel's 25th career pole position, which many of you are quite rightly hailing on Twitter and 81111 texts. The new who? Here's Eddie Jordan talking about Michael Schumacher, who starts on the grid in eighth. "It's autumn for him. He's reinvigorated. Beating [team-mate] Nico Rosberg here is no mean feat." Only the second time he has bettered the younger man in qualifying in 2011.

1412: "I'm quite surprised that Hamilton wasn't closer to Vettel," says BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan, pointing out his slight error - a lock-up - when the heat really was on at the end. Here's Mark Webber. Slightly crestfallen, and taking the onus right off his team while blaming himself for finishing fifth. "We can race from there, but we clearly underperformed today. We'll be back tomorrow though."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner on BBC One: "Sebastian was really hooked up out there today. It's a massive margin, and was completely unexpected."

1404: Sublime from the world champion. Half a second faster than the McLarens! To confirm, Lewis Hamilton starts second at Monza with team-mate Jenson Button third. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is fourth. Then Webber, Massa, Petrov, Schumacher. Your thoughts?

1401: So nip and tuck. Queues. Traffic. Mayhem. Cars flying...

1400: Vettel, Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Webber. Surely more twists.

1358: Ferrari's Alonso is fourth. At the mo. Webber out now, fifth...

Craig texts on 81111: "Alonso needs to be in top 3 grid positions to stand any chance of a win in Monza."

1354: Button the early leader. Then Vettel. Now Hamilton into second. Webber still in the pits. Seven of the 10 drivers out.

1352: I've said this before. But the heart starts beating a bit quicker now, doesn't it? Deluge me with your thoughts once we know the front of the grid for tomorrow. Not long now until we can dissect.

1350: "I have this great feeling about Hamilton [for pole]," adds Eddie Jordan. But! Should Vettel do it, he'll become the first man to take 10 pole positions in two different seasons since Ayrton Senna.

1347: Force India's Paul di Resta was squeezed out of the top 10 by Bruno Senna very late on, and by just six thousands of a second. His team tell him it was only because Senna 'got a tow' from Lewis Hamilton. But Eddie Jordan says that may well be a blessing in disguise for the Scotsman. "It may be better than ninth or 10th. He gets to choose his tyres now," he says on BBC One [and Online].

1340: No big names in any apparent danger of not making the top 10 shootout. You don't sound in the least bit surprised. Just over a minute to go...

1339: Renault's Bruno Senna flirting on fringes. Now 10th. No, 11th.

1337: "Alonso's sectors times are okay, nothing more," says BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle. "He looks tentative," says co-commentator Coulthard. The Spaniard/adopted Italian in fourth.

1333: Benchmark! World champion Vettel into the 1:22s... he, take note, is quicker in the second and third sectors while Red Bull team-mate Webber faster in the first. It's to do with gear ratios.

Anonymous texts on 81111: "Eddie is out of order. Maybe if the TV money was distributed a little bit more fairly they'd have a better chance. At the moment success, or failure, is self perpetuating!"

Lotus driver Jarno Trulli tells BBC Sport: "The car is very well balanced. We have to take into account that this is a brand new team and it takes time to get the set-up right. I took this challenge to start again from the beginning and I am still enjoying my racing."

BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan: "After qualifying one it alway seems so predictable. We know we're going to see the three new teams absolutely anchored to the back of the grid. And that, for me, is absolutely unacceptable. I want to see a spark from at least one of them. Where is their willpower, finances, mentality?"

1319: Not long now, 30 seconds left for Q1. Casualties? Let's see...

1317: Eek. Less than 0.2 second between our top four of Hamilton, Vettel, Button, Alonso. Gnat's eyelash. And sorry, that of course was Maldonaldo talking about his 'off' at Parabolica - not Senor Alonso.

1312: Crackle crackle. "When I opened the rear wing into Parabolica I lost it [the balance] immediately," Maldonaldo tells Williams. Woe for them then. Here's Lewis Hamilton, first man into the 1:23s.....

1310: Williams driver Pastor Mandonaldo with a 'little off' at Parabolica there, but he'll head straight into the pit lane.

1308: And there's England boss Fabio Capello in the Ferrari garage. No furrowed brow today. Thought I spotted that Rob Earnshaw shot heading over Monza towards the moon. No. False alarm folks.

1306: McLaren's Button the early leader. Ever-changing though...

BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard: "I think this is going to be the most strategic qualifying session of any race this year."

BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle: "In the last six races, a driver who was eliminated from qualifying one has gone on to score points. It is no longer the stigma it used to be."

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo had a chat with the media just before qualifying. In summary, he says he's committed to Ferrari, despite the rumours he could soon enter politics. Ferrari, he says, are right behind team principal Stefano Domenicali - in other words, his job isn't in danger for next season. Fernando Alonso's job is also safe because Di Montezemolo reckons the Spaniard is the best driver in the world. But there was one downside - Di Montezemolo reckons he won't be happy if Ferrari finish off the podium on Sunday. So, Messrs Domenicali, Alonso and Massa, you have been warned."

1259: Mere seconds away now. Steaming cuppa at the ready...

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh tells BBC Sport: "We looked strong yesterday but it was tough this morning. We are competitive but Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes are all in the hunt which is good for the sport. It will be an exciting qualifying and we want to be on the front row."

Anonymous on text via 81111: "Doing 'overtime' at work whilst streaming qualifying on the internet AND watching the live updates. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone."

1254: BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan tells us that he used to go sailing in a boat to get away from the stresses and strains of Formula 1. "I was very in touch with the sea," he muses. Quite brilliant.

Renault driver Bruno Senna tells BBC Sport: "Monza is a track where precision is king."

1248: Right - our driver tracker is now live! You can watch it separately via the link on our front page, or on the video console at the top of this here page. Gives you a very quick overall insight into what's happening on the track. Which is what it's all about.....

1245: Not for me to say, but many of you are commenting that BBC F1 commentator David Coulthard is wearing some remarkable jeans. Jean Alesi, a former driver for Eddie Jordan's Jordan team, has been just having a chat with the chaps. This is very enjoyable, no? Just 15 minutes away from the the start of qualifying. Hotting up.

Charlie Gaze on Twitter: "Fascinating insight of the differences between this year's Ferrari and a Ferrari from the 1960s #bbcf1"

Paul Hembery from Pirelli tells BBC Sport: "The tyres have been so robust this year that the teams are pushing the limits of camber"

1236: Wholesome Lancashire band Elbow crooning in the background during a nice little package as BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey hangs out with world champion for Ferrari in 1964, John Surtees, and Fernando Alonso at the Italian team's famous factory. "It's wrong to restrict it and dumb it down," says Surtees, the epitome of an English gent. "F1 should be about development." Then, as he gets in the new Ferrari car 47 years after taking the title, he smiles at Alonso. "Don't try and tell me what these buttons are for! I'm going nowhere..."

Danny Grasso on Twitter: "I am in Cairo..will I be able to find Quali on the 1000 hotel TV channels? I'm on 247..8..9 and nothing yet...desparate times! #bbcF1"

Red Bull driver Mark Webber, second in final practice, tells BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard: "We should be going well in qualifying. There will be five guys who are pretty tight together but the race is a different matter altogether. There are different guys with different approaches to downforce and the DRS (overtaking aid). That's going to make it very, very interesting."

Anonymous texts on 81111: "Have sent the husband out shopping with the children so I can watch the qualifying with a large mug of hot chocolate. Bliss!"

1224: "Criticism from Hamilton towards journalists was just him asking them to get off his back," says BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan. "Yes, he hangs around with rock stars - but he insists it makes no difference. He really has been in tune this weekend so far, and I do believe he will bounce back from Spa. He has this enormous talent and just needs to tie it up." Sun's out.

1220: Now. Red Bull have never had a podium finish at Monza. But Sebastian Vettel won his first race there in 2008. Confused? Don't be. He was driving for Toro Rosso. Thinnish crowds for final practice - but not now. Do you have your own army of friends piled around your lounge for this? And which lucky few of you are there in the northern Italian heat with oil fumes wafting up your happy nostrils?

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "England manager Fabio Capello may be schmoozing in the Monza paddock but the limelight is shining on one man here - and it isn't Mr Vettel. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was surrounded by a throng as he greeted another blazer-wearing dignitary outside Ferrari's motorhome. Di Montezemolo is always being linked with making a move into politics and I was greatly amused to catch a glimpse of an Italian journalist reading an article on current prime minister Silvio Berlusconi amid the pink-coloured pages of Italian newspaper Gazzetto dello Sport within sight of the Ferrari boss."

Daley Leungsangnamon Twitter: "I'd love to see Schumacher on pole here, he deserves it and at a circuit where he dominated when at Ferrari #BBCF1"

1214: "What do you think of first when we talk about Monza," BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey (sensible shirt) asks chief analyst Eddie Jordan (wacky shirt). "Absolute passion. And speed. Did you know that nine of the quickest races in the sport have happened here?"

1210: But our live coverage of qualifying is now go go GO! On BBC One - and online at the top of this page for UK users, who may want to give it a snappy refresh. EJ opening voiceover with gravitas.

1207: So much pressure on Ferrari on home soil, especially with chairman Luca di Montezemolo floating around their garage like an Italian James Bond. Star man Fernando Alonso was eighth in practice earlier this morning. Sandbagging? What would really hurt is for Red Bull to crack this legendary circuit this weekend. They have never previously notched a podium finish at Monza. Reigning world champion and runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel is aiming for his 10th pole position of the season. Kicks off at 1300 BST. Settled?

Anonymous texts on 81111: "I have a feeling Lewis is going to be on pole after today. I know Red Bull are looking strong again, but I think Lewis will prevail today :)"

1156: Ominous. My word of the day, or at least pre-qualifying, for reigning champs Red Bull. Monza has never been their best friend, track-wise, but they look to be getting on swimmingly. Tamed? You know the drill... let me know your F1 thoughts. To get involved use Twitter [via the hashtag #BBCF1 ] or text us via 81111 with F1 before your message.

1150: You're back. Great to have you with us once again. So. It's knock-out time. We've not heard much chat from Red Bull this weekend, have we? You know what they say about the quiet ones...

1111: That's all from me this morning then. Tune back in here at 1200 BST where Chris Whyatt will guide you through qualifying.

Anonymous text on 81111: "Is Button picking up more oversteer now that he has moved towards Hamilton's set up?"

1105: Interesting to note that the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg were fastest overall through the first sector. That car has some serious straight-line speed, but Sebastian Vettel was around 0.3 seconds quicker than anyone else in the final sector.

1102: Ominous stuff from Red Bull then. Vettel ahead of Webber with Felipe Massa offering hope for Ferrari with the third-best lap. McLaren ended Friday in positive mood but Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were off the pace in the final sector and could be in for a tough afternoon.

1058: Sebastian Vettel pulls out of a lap by going straight on at a chicane as Hamilton moves up to third. Vettel then recovers to post a very quick lap. Top with a 1:23.170

Pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz on Daniel Ricciardo's HRT: "They've written off the car for the rest of the session. It had some fundamental failure so they are stripping it down ready for qualifying."

1055: The McLarens out on track as the times start to tumble. Massa and then Webber go ahead of Rosberg by dipping into the 1:23s while Hamilton loses out in the last sector to go sixth.

1053: And Felipe Massa moves up to sixth. Not what Ferrari want. Mark Webber now out on track on the soft tyre with around six minutes of the session left.

1051: Fernando Alonso is the first of the big-hitters to come out on the softer tyres. He moves up to fourth - improvement then but still behind the Mercedes.

BBC 5 live pit-lane reporter Natalie Pinkham: "Both Mercedes drivers are running on new option tyres, and both with little fuel. But Michael Schumacher is not happy with his set-up."

1046: A German 1-2-3 at the moment then as Rosberg leads Vettel and Schumacher.

Pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz on BBC Red Button: "Frantic work on Jenson Button's car in the garage as McLaren try to find a balance that works. They are changing both torsion bars. It's tight. They want to get him out for two runs, or at least one qualifying simulation."

1044: Karun Chandhok tells 5 live that he expects to see some faster times in the last 10 minutes of the session as the drivers make one run on the softer option tyres.

Mike Gatt texts on 81111: "Running wide at Ascari is lenghening the lap, not shortening, which is why perhaps it is being ignored [by FIA stewards]."

1039: Nico Rosberg is happy with his Mercedes though, the first man to go under 1:24 to leap ahead of Vettel. Could be a good qualifying for Mercedes later. Wild from Kamui Kobayashi, getting his Sauber sideways out of the second Lesmo corner and making a trip across the gravel before getting back on track.

1037: Plenty of teams making set-up changes out there but Jenson Button is not happy. He tells his team radio: "I actually feel like I've got more over-steer in mid-speed and high-speed corners."

BBC 5 live pit-lane reporter Natalie Pinkham at Monza: "McLaren ran slightly different set-ups yesterday. Lewis Hamilton gave very positive feedback, and it was a case of convergence, with Jenson Button's now mirroring his team-mates. Unlike last year at Monza, they are going to be running the same set-ups."

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "Robert Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli dropped into the paddock in Monza to update the F1 community on his injured charge. Kubica had an operation on his right arm and is in the final stage of recovery after suffering a fractured leg and partially severed right arm in a rallying crash in February. With Bruno Senna being trumpeted as a positive influence since being promoted to a race seat - not to mention the three new sponsorship deals that followed the Brazilian's promotion - it was an apposite time for Morelli to drop a reminder that his man has a Renault seat waiting for him if he is able to return to racing. Kubica is said to be in determined mood, so determined he is being told to slow down by his doctors, and is aiming to get back behind the wheel - either in a simulator or road car - next month."

1032: The Ferraris are out circulating now. Fernando Alonso currently seventh with team-mate Felipe Massa just behind in eighth. Luca di Montezemolo will not be happy with this so far.

Reserve driver Karun Chandhok on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "Ferrari playing it a bit different this morning. Interesting that they are sitting in the box for the first 25 minutes. They're only likely to do two runs, most others will do three."

BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz: "Ferrari have gone with the front wing with slightly more downforce - Alonso was trying one with less downforce on Friday. Whether it helps them find some performance remains to be seen."

1029: Sebastian Vettel goes top of the board with a 1:24 dead. Faster than his time in the second session.

Pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz on BBC Red Button: "Mark Webber has not taken a new engine, which is interesting. But Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel does have a new engine, his sixth of the season. Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa also have new engines. Also… all we've seen in the pit lane, largely, is everyone copying Red Bull. But Red Bull have now copied a bit of McLaren's wing!"

1019: Small spin for Schumacher down into the first chicane, as his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg goes fastest of all ahead of Mark Webber and Jenson Button.

Reserve driver Karun Chandhok on BBC 5 live sports extra, talking about the inaugural Indian Grand prix, which is set for Greater Noida on 30 October: "The circuit work is nearly done, the final surface - the third layer of asphalt - has gone down on the main track. Hopefully I'll Tweet some pictures, or put them on my website, next time I'm there. Everything looks to be on course."

1016: Michael Schumacher puts his lighter wallet to good use to set the fastest time so far with a lap of one minute 26.943 seconds. Nearly three seconds slower than Sebastian Vettel's best time from Friday.

1010: Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo strolls out of the garage across to the pitwall and salutes the mass of fans with a Tim Henman style fist-pump. His presence alone could push Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa on to greater things.

1007: Apologies but we have had a few technical problems this morning with the coverage at the top of your screen. If you hit refresh now then you should be back on track.

1005: David Croft on Radio 5 live reports that Michael Schumacher was fined 400 euros for speeding in the pitlane on Friday. Schumacher has won five times at Monza in the past and was certainly on the pace in second practice. Lewis Hamilton heads out onto the circuit.

1000: Final practice is underway. Vitantonio Liuzzi leads out the first group of drivers to hit the track.

0958: Track temperature is up at 29C in Monza already. Plenty of drivers sat in their cars waiting for the off any moment now.

BBC pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie: "I spoke to the McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button after practice and after nearly three hours on the track Hamilton seemed much happier than his team-mate. He felt that his McLaren was ahead of the Ferraris on pace but against the Red Bull it was difficult to tell exactly as he could not be sure what fuel load they were running. Button was less happy with the balance of his car and said there was lots more work to do in third practice ahead of qualifying."

0955: Don't forget that you can get in touch as well. Who do you see coming out on top this afternoon? Can anyone stop Red Bull? Lewis Hamilton was certainly in confident mood after Friday's practice. To get involved use Twitter [via the hashtag #BBCF1 ] or text us via 81111 with F1 before your message.

0953: Coverage of the final practice session is about to start, and if you refresh this page you will be able to watch at the top of the screen.

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "The big question after Friday practice was have Red Bull cracked Monza? The high-speed, low-downforce circuit - which has four main straights and only one fast corner at Parabolica - should not play to the car's strengths but Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in the second session. Lewis Hamilton actually went quicker - by 0.145 seconds in the morning - but his time was set on cooler track conditions on medium tyres which is deemed to be less representative of the cars' form ahead of qualifying. Red Bull's car has been heavily modified for Monza with eagle eyes in the pit lane spotting new front wing end plates, an extra element at the front of the floor and an altered diffuser. Also spotted after Friday practice was blistering on Vettel's tyres, which means there are still weaknesses to be solved."

0943: We are set for glorious weather in Monza all weekend so there should be no problems on that front. A reminder that the session gets underway at 1000 BST, with qualifying starting at 1300. Who is your money on for pole?

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "Some technical breaking news this morning. Govering body the FIA has decided it will police the level of camber - which is how much the tyres lean away from the vertical - at the Italian Grand Prix. Any cars that do not adhere to the recommendations made by Pirelli - which is 3.25 degrees - will be deemed to be of 'dangerous construction' and that means they could face expulsion from the race. The new FIA directive is for this race only. Tyre loads are greater at Monza than at any other circuit on the calendar because of the circuit's high speeds. The whole issue of camber was raised when Red Bull exceeded the recommended amount of camber at the last race in Belgium, despite starting the race on blistered tyres, raising safety concerns. Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull and Jenson Button's McLaren both suffered the same problem in Monza, which could have a major impact on the outcome of the race."

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "Fernando Alonso was feted in Monza last season after claiming victory for Ferrari in front of their devoted fans and reigniting his title charge in the process. But the Spaniard looks like he faces an uphill battle this weekend after finishing almost half a second off the pace on Friday. Alonso said: 'We will need to find something more in the car on Saturday to be fighting with McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes. The tyres are not easy here in Monza, there are not many corners and we are struggling a little bit with the pace, but we will find out how competitive we are in qualifying.' Team boss Stefano Domenicali added: 'The real work the engineers need to do overnight is on finding the level of downforce needed and the speed for the race on Sunday. One thing is qualifying but the most important thing is the race and it will be very challenging.'"

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monza: "Morning. After yesterday's bumper-to-bumper traffic jams came a Saturday morning drive through Monza's old town with a certain Mr Kravitz at the wheel. The church bells were peeling and, despite the overcast skies here in Monza, there was a peaceful atmosphere. There was yet more serenity in the paddock and Mark Webber was even at the track extra early to have breakfast with Mum and Dad at Red Bull HQ. But despite the calm scenes there are still plenty of headaches to be solved in final practice ahead of qualifying. McLaren, who would have fancied themselves favourites along Monza's straights, were matched by Red Bull, while Ferrari found themselves off the pace at their home grand prix. Plenty to do yet ahead of the fight for pole."

0930: Morning everyone. Just this week, Mark Webber told us here at the BBC that a strong weekend for Red Bull "would be a massive psychological blow to our rivals". After Sebastian Vettel was quickest on Friday, they certainly made a good start. Can anyone stop yet another Red Bull pole at Monza? Stay tuned to find out...