Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the qualifying session for tomorrow's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

This weekend marks the halfway stage of the Formula 1 season, with just two more races before the summer break and the championship finely poised.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso currently leads the way, with Red Bull's Mark Webber hunting him down in second. The Aussie produced a great late performance to take the checkered flag ahead of the Spaniard in the last race at Silverstone.

Webber's Red Bull teammate Sebatian Vettel, currently third in the standings, is one of five Germans competing at this Grand Prix. However, the reigning champion has never won in his homeland.

Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg and Timo Glock will also be banking on home-crowd support.

Vettel has been the most successful driver in qualifying, taking pole position three times so far this season. Fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton has started from the front twice, while Alonso was on pole at Silverstone.