2010 Japanese Grand Prix Postponed Qualifying

Shots from around the circuit show it to be almost flooded in places, meaning it will take a while to become drivable even if the rain stops.

On two previous occasions Saturday qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix has been affected by heavy rain.

In 1992, the final session was marred by a downpour and it was much the same as we saw in this morning's final practice, with only a few drivers venturing out onto the circuit. However, the session did run to a conclusion.

The scheduled start of qualifying ticks by as rain falls heavily at the circuit.

No change in the weather conditions at Suzuka. The rain is continuing to hammer down and in the last few minutes, another heavy pulse swept through the area.

The radar shows that the intensity of the rainfall will continue like this for at least another 90 minutes.

Safety car

It's a red light for now © Sutton
If the conditions fail to improve, a rescheduled session at 10am tomorrow morning is the likely outcome - with darkness potentially setting in at Suzuka before things dry up that much this afternoon.

Qualifying took place on Sunday morning here in 2004 after the threat of Typhoon Ma-On forced the circuit to be evacuated on Saturday.

Should the session begin at some point this afternoon, it is possible that there could be scramble to leave the pits and begin the process of banking a time, as even the order that the cars head out could be enough to decide a grid should the session immediately come to a halt.

But, with the outside chance of the rain easing slightly before it gets dark, the rolling delay for now means a long wait is setting in for the teams, drivers and incredibly patient fans in the grandstands.

There will be another assessment of the conditions at 14:20 local time.

Fans have been braving terrible conditions

Fans have been braving terrible conditions © Sutton
Motor racing fans love to debate the action on track and the live forum is your opportunity to share your experiences of the Formula 1 weekend with everyone.

• Do you think that we'll get qualifying completed today?

• If you were a team manager, how would you plan to run your two cars in the wet conditions?

• If the session does run this afternoon, who has the pace in wet conditions to take the pole position in your view?

Tell the world what you think.

Click the SHOW LIVE FORUM link in the red bar at the bottom of your browser window if you'd like to join the debate.

The FIA has announced a 30 minute delay to the qualifying session.

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Here is how the qualifying battle is shaping up within the teams: Qualifying head-to-head Button 5 - 10 Hamilton Schumacher 3 - 12 Rosberg Vettel 8 - 7 Webber Massa 4 - 11 Alonso Barrichello 10 - 5 Hulkenberg Kubica 14 - 1 Petrov Sutil 13 - 2 Liuzzi Buemi 11 - 4 Alguersuari Trulli 7 - 8 Kovalainen Senna 4 - 0 Yamamoto Heidfeld 0 - 1 Kobayashi Glock 14 - 1 Di Grassi

Alguersuari completed nine laps this morning

Alguersuari splashed around for nine laps this morning © Sutton
Jaime Alguersuari led Timo Glock home at the end of one of the quietest practice sessions ever seen, thanks to a Saturday morning deluge at Suzuka.

Every driver did venture out to check the circuit conditions. Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sebastien Buemi did attempt a few gentle laps, but decided against risking their cars.

Alguersuari was perhaps the bravest man in the field as he completed nine laps of the Suzuka River Rapids in 1m55.902s - some 11.595s quicker than Glock.

Downpour spoils final Suzuka practice

The red lights could be all day

The red lights could be all day © LAT
Hello everyone and welcome back to the continuing chaos that is around 16 of the 2010 FIA Formula One world championship - the Japanese Grand Prix from Suzuka.

We all knew it was coming, and at dawn the rains arrived. At first it was light, but the rain fell heavier and heavier as the morning progressed and right now it is uncertain whether qualifying will even take place today.

The rain is continuing to hammer down, with little easing off expected for at least another hour.

In dry conditions, Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were on top form. But, after a morning session where hardly anyone posted a lap time, wet weather performance is unknown.

Race director Charlie Whiting is likely to announce a plan before the scheduled start of the session, with the potential for a rolling delay while the FIA officials wait to see if conditions improve.

Saturday is fast becoming a challenge for the drivers, teams, circuit officials, spectators, and fans all around the world, but AUTOSPORT Live will continue with coverage until we have a grid for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix.