Rain in Singapore would put FIA in near-impossible position, says Heikki Kovalainen

Wet running in Singapore over the past four years has been limited to one damp session, meaning that drivers do not know how the combination of rain or spray and the floodlights will affect visibility.

While today's race is most likely to be dry, there is still a chance of thunderstorms. If they strike before or during the race, could give Whiting a near-impossible call to make.

"It's going to be a very tricky one for Charlie and the FIA," Kovalainen told AUTOSPORT. "He could make decisions that look absolutely right based on the information, but that don't work.

"You can probably get a little bit of an idea of visibility under the safety car, but the spray is never anywhere near as bad as when you are going at full speed. At some tracks, you can go blind for a few seconds, but here it would not be good to do that."

Despite this, Kovalainen does not fear a wet race.

Instead, the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix winner believes that it could offer the chance for himself and Team Lotus to over-achieve.

"For us, it's an opportunity," he said. "Unusual circumstances always are.

"This race could big a big challenge for everyone if it is wet, because we've never raced here in the rain."

Kovalainen lines up 19th on the grid for today's race, one place ahead of team-mate Jarno Trulli.