Say what you like about the Valencia Street Track – at least the photographers can get close to the cars and snap some cracking close-ups. Practice had led us to expect an unusual result in qualifying but it turned into another battle between Red Bull and McLaren. Here’s a selection of pictures from qualifying for the European Grand Prix.

The Red Bull duo locked out the front row of the grid for the European Grand Prix with Sebastian Vettel heading Mark Webber. Lewis Hamilton looked able to get between the two RB6s but made a mistake on his final lap and had to settle for third. The two Ferraris line up fourth and fifth for tomorrow’s race.

Join us below to follow European Grand Prix Qualifying live. Qualifying – European Grand Prix Useful links Track map Race programme Live F1 video FAQ Live F1 timing Launch the F1 Fanatic Live blog in a new window by clicking here Use this button on the Live Blog panel to turn off auto scrolling so you can read earlier messages. Please remember this is a live blog not live chat – comments are moderated before going live and not every comment is published because we get so many! Keep an eye on the rolling text at the bottom of the live blog window for details like where to find video or what the weather is at the track

Sebastian Vettel was fastest in third practice at the European Grand Prix.

Join us below to follow European Grand Prix Free Practice 3 live. Free practice 3 – European Grand Prix Useful links Track map Race programme Live F1 video FAQ Live F1 timing Launch the F1 Fanatic Live blog in a new window by clicking here Use this button on the Live Blog panel to turn off auto scrolling so you can read earlier messages.

Ferrari appear to have the race pace to back up the one-lap performance they showed in the second practice session in Valancia. Red Bull are close behind but McLaren didn’t exhibit the same performance they had in the first session – in terms of straight-line speed or lap time. Here’s the interactive data for the second practice session at Valencia.

Michael Schumacher apologised for spoiling Lewis Hamilton’s lap at the end of second practice this morning. Schumacher said: Regarding Lewis, I must apologise as I did not see him and was not informed that he was there. As I was planning my lap at that moment and looking ahead, I was unfortunately in his way.

Ferrari , Renault, Mercedes and Red Bull were among the teams who tested significant upgrades on their cars in the first two practice sessions at Valencia. While Red Bull tested their version of McLaren’s F-duct three of their rivals tried to run exhaust-driven diffuser similar to those on the RB6.

Join us below to follow European Grand Prix Free Practice 2 live. Free practice 2 – European Grand Prix Useful links Track map Race programme Live F1 video FAQ Live F1 timing Launch the F1 Fanatic Live blog in a new window by clicking here Use this button on the Live Blog panel to turn off auto scrolling so you can read earlier messages. Please remember this is a live blog not live chat – comments are moderated before going live and not every comment is published because we get so many! Keep an eye on the rolling text at the bottom of the live blog window for details like where to find video or what the weather is at the track.

Although Mercedes were fastest in the first practice session the practice times indicate the W01 is not the fastest car around Valencia this weekend. McLaren have the fastest car through the speed traps but it’s not clear yet how much time Ferrari have found with their exhaust upgrade.