I'm sure we are all hoping that today's qualifying session is more successful than the last one, because I certainly don't want to have to resort to the driver's lining up in car number order. That would be a procession and a half. Thankfully, things are looking a little bit less torrential at Suzuka, so we may see three sessions over the next hour or so.

Weather update

It looks like there is still rain in the area around Suzuka, but it is steering clear of the circuit itself for now. In the early hours of Sunday in Japan, the track was damp but drying, so we'll have to see how it is once qualifying is ready to get underway.

One to watch

Hamilton is going to have to take up the one to watch space again, a repeat performance for him, as he will be taking a five place grid drop from wherever he manages to qualify today.

This afternoon, as we fired up Lewis's car several times in preparation for qualifying, we became aware that the symptoms were worse than we'd originally diagnosed, and a decision was later taken to change the gearbox ahead of tomorrow's qualifying session and the grand prix.

- McLaren team

His luck is really out this weekend, it seems, and after two races in a row ending with a DNF, he'd probably like for things to go his way a bit more in Japan.

Predictions please

What did I ask you yesterday? Hmm. Who will get the coveted pole position? Will the weather affect things? Will we see some big names drop out early? Will any of the slower teams scrape through into the second session?