Japanese GP as it happened

1. Bianchi has surgery after suffering "severe" head injury
2. Unconscious Bianchi taken to hospital
3. Hamilton wins after race stopped from Bianchi crash
4. Rosberg 2nd, Vettel 3rd, Ricciardo 4th, Button 5th
5. Hamilton overtakes Rosberg around outside of Turn One
6. Button loses 3rd after botched pit stop
7. Alonso out with electrical failure, Sutil, Bianchi out
8. Race had been suspended at start after heavy rain
9. Watch again via Live Coverage tab

Our thoughts are with Jules Bianchi and the whole Marussia team as we conclude our coverage. We will update you when we have more news on Bianchi's condition.

Williams' Felipe Massa says: "We need to understand what has happened with Jules. I'm very worried. I heard that he hit the truck at the end of the race.

"I was already screaming on the radio five laps before the safety car that there was too much water on the track, but they took a bit too long and it was dangerous. So we saw that there were some crashes at the end."

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo add: "Right now we're all thinking about Bianchi and that's the biggest concern for us.

"We heard he had a pretty big crash and it's not nice when we don't know if the driver is OK."

"Jules had a bad accident and we hope to have some good news soon," says Sebastian Vettel. "Not knowing what is going on feels terrible.

"All the drivers feel with him because we know how difficult and how slippery it was today. It was a very unlucky place and unlucky timing to lose the car there."

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean: All my thoughts are with Jules and his family. Keep fighting my friend.

Mercedes co-team boss Toto Wolff added: "The only important thing is that Jules Bianchi is OK and recovers; the sport is not as important as that now."

"More important than anything else, on behalf of everyone at McLaren I want to say how shocked and sorry we were to hear the news of Jules' accident," says McLaren racing director Eric Boullier. "Our hearts go out to him, of course, to his family, and to all at Marussia."

Getty Images

The FIA said Jules Bianchi was unconscious as he was taken from the Suzuka track. The incident, which led to the race being called off, happened shortly after the rain intensified.

If you're just joining us, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi, 25, has been taken to hospital following a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Frenchman lost control at the same spot as the Sauber of Adrian Sutil had a lap earlier, but hit the recovery vehicle attending Sutil's stricken car.

Lewis Hamilton, who won the race, said he had heard Bianchi was "seriously injured".

You can watch interviews with race winner Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Sutil, who crashed at the same corner as Jules Bianchi the lap before, in the video console at the top of this page.

Three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart was also on BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek just before 10:00 BST.

"I missed the beginning of the race but it did look as though race conditions were pretty appalling," said Stewart. "The biggest challenge of course is the track, that holds water. Suzuka seems to be quite good from the point of view of the cambers, allowing most of the water to be shed, either to the outside or the inside.

"Nevertheless it was torrential rain, so a decision can only be made by the people that are there and it will certainly be wrong for me to make a speculation on that one as I wasn't simply wasn't there.

"Charlie Whiting (race director) is very reliable in cases like that. He's been there and done that many times. I haven't heard the reaction of many drivers yet on what they felt about that but the conditions were more than difficult, that's for sure."

Three-time F1 world champion and Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda was on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek at around 10:00 BST.

"The rain was not the real issue," said Lauda. "There were safety cars put in and the race was run safe more or less to the end, so it could have been run to the end without the accident.

"The darkness I don't think was an issue here. Motor racing is dangerous. We get used to it if nothing happens and then suddenly we are all surprised.

"We always have to be aware that motor racing is very dangerous and this accident is a coming together of various difficult things.

"One car goes off, the truck comes out and the next car goes off. This was very unfortunate."

Austrian-born Lauda was seriously injured in a crash at the German Grand Prix in 1976.

"The most important thing is our thoughts are with Jules," says McLaren's Jenson Button. "You hope it is an incident that never happens in Formula 1, let's just leave it at that."

Getty Images

Jules Bianchi is a member of Ferrari's young driver programme and in his second season in Formula 1.

The Frenchman, 25, scored a memorable ninth place in Monaco this year, giving the back-of-the grid Marussia team their first points since their debut in 2010.

We've not had any more news on Jules Bianchi 's condition but will bring you the latest when we have it.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso: #ForzaJules. Vamos amigo.

Adrian Sutil, who crashed his car and was by the side of the track when Jules Bianchi's incident happened at the same corner, says: "It was the same thing that happened to me.

"The rain was increasing and daylight was going down. I was following Jules. I had a spin and ended up in the wall. I stood up and they tried to rescue the car.

"He was in the same area and lost the car. I have no more information. We are all aware of the situation. Hopefully he is in good hands."

"We hope for the very best because we all know what the conditions were like," says Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who finished third.

"Knowing what we know at this stage is very unlucky circumstances. We wish him all the best and hope we get some good news soon.

"Every thing that happened on track in terms of racing comes after one of us not being in good shape. We hope to have some good news."

"I'm not thinking about the race, I'm thinking about my colleague," says Nico Rosberg, who finished second. "I've been given some information and it seems very, very serious. I'm hoping for the best.

"I was disappointed to finish second but I'm not really thinking about that. I was not comfortable with the car today, I was not able to attack and did not find a solution to find the balance."

"It's not nice to hear one of our colleagues is seriously injured so that's the main worry," says a subdued Lewis Hamilton. "Before that it was so enjoyable. You could see some commotion and the car was really badly damaged on the right. So we just hope he's OK.

"In the wet it is always tough. It's very twitchy and it was hard to catch Nico. It was not as hardcore as in the past. Silverstone 2008 had more water."

Getty Images

BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan: "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this championship will come down to a shoot-out in Abu Dhabi."

BBC

Lewis Hamilton leads the drivers' championship by 10 points from Nico Rosberg with Daniel Ricciardo 63 further back in third. Sebastian Vettel is up to fourth.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who retired early in the race: "It was a shame. I had an electricity problem, may be some connection problem. We lost an opportunity today."

Valtteri Bottas, who finished sixth as his Williams team struggled in the wet conditions because of a lack of downforce: "There was not much we could do, it was not easy. We maximised the result. As a team we did a good job."

Felipe Massa, who finished seventh: "I could not see very well in the whole race. I was screaming on the radio five laps before the end, there was too much water."

Daniel Ricciardo, who finished fourth: "The race was OK, it was quite fun. Once we got going we had good pace after some poor visibility. The end was set up to be pretty quick but the red flag came out. Jules is my main concern right now."

The Australian pulled of some stunning moves, including passes on Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. "I did a little bit of studying," says the Red Bull driver. "The wets are always strange, you have to attack and try something, there was some good go-kart lines."

BBC Sport editor Dan Roan: FIA confirms French F1 Marussia driver Jules Bianchi was unconscious when taken to hospital via ambulance.

Sebastian Vettel, who finished third: "It was very tricky. It took a while to get the race started but it was good fun. We pitted and i got lucky but overall it was a great race."

Nico Rosberg, who finished second: "Congratulations to Lewis and my thoughts are with my colleague Jules.

"It's been a good weekend for us as a team, it's great to get a one-two. It's very special to drive here."

BBC

Race winner Lewis Hamilton: "It was great. What a day. It's been very difficult conditions and we hope Bianchi is OK. We've had a great crowd here this weekend."

Nigel Mansell is in charge of the podium interviews. Let's hear from them.

Ferrari: Jules Bianchi has been taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Sauber: Adrian is OK. More details to follow.

The drivers chink champagne bottles but do not spray the bubbly stuff. We'll bring you latest on Jules Bianchi when we have it.

BBC

The British national anthem rings out as Lewis Hamilton stands on the top step of the podium with Nico Rosberg to his right and Sebastian Vettel to his left.

It's a muted pre-podium room as we wait news of Jules Bianchi's condition. The Frenchman is currently in the medical centre after going off track at the site where Adrian Sutil crashed.

As the race was completed early, the result has been given based on the positions at the end of the 44th lap. That means Sebastian Vettel is given third.

Japanese GP result

1) Lewis Hamilton 2) Nico Rosberg 3) Sebastian Vettel 4) Daniel Ricciardo 5) Jenson Button 6) Valtteri Bottas 7) Felipe Massa 8) Nico Hulkenberg 9) Jean-Eric Vergne 10) Sergio Perez

11) Daniil Kvyat 12) Kimi Raikkonen 13) Esteban Gutierrez 14) Kevin Magnussen 15) Romain Grosjean 16) Pastor Maldonado 17) Marcus Ericsson 18) Max Chilton 19) Kamui Kobayashi 20) Jules Bianchi 21) Adrian Sutil.

Not classified: Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton becomes Mercedes' most successful F1 driver ever after taking his ninth victory for the team, and his first at Suzuka. It is his 30th career victory, moving him one behind Nigel Mansell's British record.

Sauber say when Adrian Sutil crashed they asked him if he was OK and he said "yes", according to BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson.

BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson says that Jules Bianchi is in the medical centre and Marussia are waiting for news. More on that when we have it.

BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Jennie Gow: "Medical team paying attention to area where Jules Bianchi's car went into crash site of the Sutil accident."

The result has been called as race control say the race will not be restarted.

Chequered flag

Lewis Hamilton wins the Japanese Grand Prix.

BBC F1 commentator Ben Edwards: "Sad for it to be stopped on a red flag. But we did get a race - and what a race it was. It's likely a result will be declared."

Lap 47

The mechanics rush over to their respective cars with tyre blankets in hand. Lewis Hamilton is at the head of field, with Nico Rosberg second and Daniel Ricciardo third.

BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Jennie Gow: "We're trying to find out about condition of Adrian Sutil from the medical team."

Lap 46

The race has been red flagged. Cars have been instructed to come into the pit lane. Race control say the ambulance is on track.

Get involved #bbcf1

Jonathan Hutchinson: End of the race I reckon. Looks very wet, and very dark.

Janine Pingree: Quite surprised how many cars are still in this race considering the conditions.

Marc: Even a good safety car period is 5+ laps. Race is over

TV coverage

Race fans. Slight change to the TV schedule. We will be finishing on BBC One at 09:30 BST. And the Forum will run online and on the Red Button from 09:30 until 10:00.

BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard: "It's unlikely this race will be re-started."

Lap 45

Lewis Hamilton catches the safety car and backs off the pace. The Sauber is still on the side of the track as the medical car arrives on the scene.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel pits for intermediate tyres and rejoins fourth.

Lap 44

The safety car is out.

Ben Edwards

BBC F1 commentator

"You have to think those on intermediates will start to struggle now."

Lap 43

BBC

Adrian Sutil crashes at the top of the hill at Dunlop. That's the Sauber driver's seventh retirement of the year.

Williams

Williams: It's raining harder now....

Lap 42

The rain is really coming down now - and Jenson Button has decided to pit for the full wets. Will this be another inspired move? He rejoins in fifth place - so he hasn't lost any places. Smart thinking.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Historically it takes a car to go flying off the track to use the safety car."

Lap 41

Jenson Button is showing that he still knows a thing or two about racing, the Briton taking a wide line through the hairpin to stave off another Daniel Ricciardo attack. The rain is getting heavier. Kevin Magnussen pits and chooses the full wets.

Team radio

Lewis Hamilton: "It's raining more, it's getting heavier and heavier."

Lap 40

Daniel Ricciardo passes Jenson Button up the inside for fourth at the hairpin but Button doesn't panic and gets the Australian back around the outside into the next corner. Good racing from both.

Lap 39

Lewis Hamilton is told that several cars are going off at Turn One so he should be cautious. Hamilton replies that the rain is intensifying. The Briton is showing no signs of slowing, though. His lead now up to 10 seconds over Nico Rosberg.

Video

BBC

'Bravery off the scale': Watch Hamilton's amazing overtake

Lap 38

Getty Images

Felipe Massa pits from seventh while Sebastian Vettel is off track at the Esses, running through the gravel. That means Jenson Button (pictured) is now just two seconds behind in the battle for third!

Lap 37

It's raining harder at Suzuka with 16 laps or 22 minutes remaining. Lewis Hamilton leads Nico Rosberg by 7.3 seconds.

1) Ham 2) Ros 3) Vet 4) But 5) Ric 6) Bot 7) Mas 8) Hul 9) Kvy 10) Per

Lap 36

Daniel Ricciardo pits for a fresh set of intermediate tyres and rejoins in fifth, behind the McLaren of Jenson Button. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is now third.

BBC pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson: "Both McLaren drivers have had to change their steering wheels so that suggests some kind of electrical issue."

Team radio

Daniel Ricciardo's race engineer: "Heavier rain in the pit-lane."

Lap 35

BBC

Why are Mercedes not bringing Lewis Hamilton in? He is losing time to Nico Rosberg. Ah, hang on. Out come the Mercedes mechanics and sure enough the 2008 world champion dives in. It's a good stop and he rejoins comfortably ahead of his title rival. Daniel Ricciardo leads the race.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I find it difficult to imagine we will have slicks at the end of this Grand Prix as it is still grey and dark."

Lap 34

Those fresh tyres have done the job for Jenson Button, the McLaren driver setting the fastest lap of the race with a 1:51.721. He's currently fifth, 3.1 seconds behind Sebastian Vettel.

Mercedes: How many others at home then balancing 'can't take your eyes off it' with 'OH MY DAYS CAN'T WATCH'?!

Lap 33

Nico Rosberg pits and rejoins in second behind Daniel Ricciardo, who hasn't pitted again yet. Rosberg will hope this set of intermediates work out better because he's about to come under pressure from a flying Sebastian Vettel.

Lap 32

Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race with a 1:51.915. That's 2.3 seconds quicker than race leader Lewis Hamilton. However, the German is 31 seconds behind the Mercedes driver.

Get involved #bbcf1

Joanne Morgan: With moves like that Lewis Hamilton truly deserves to be in the lead of the championship.

Brogan: Woah, my heart was in my mouth. Amazing Lewis!

Pulomo Mohapeloa: Lewis Hamilton definitely one of the scariest passes of the season on Nico Rosberg

Lap 31

BBC

McLaren chief Ron Dennis is all smiles as he watches the action in the garage, but that is sure to change as Jenson Button has an absolute shocker of a pit stop. A steering wheel change is needed. The Briton rejoins behind both Red Bulls. There goes his podium.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"This is a drive for Jenson that confirms exactly why he's such an asset."

Lap 30

Lewis Hamilton now 4.78 seconds ahead of Nico Rosberg with Jenson Button just 12.8 behind the Mercedes.

Lap 29

Lewis Hamilton puts the hammer down, stretching his lead out to two seconds in just one lap. Nico Rosberg's confidence takes a kicking.

Mercedes: He makes it! Round the outside at turn one! Incredible move. @LewisHamilton into the lead.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"That is a pass the drivers will always admire. Fantastic display."

Ben Edwards

BBC F1 commentator

"That was one of the passes of the season."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"That is bravery off the scale, on a corner where he crashed in third practice. I almost stopped breathing there."

Lap 28

BBC

Unbelievable pass. Simply sensational. Lewis Hamilton gets into the slipstream of Nico Rosberg down the start finish straight. Rosberg goes defensive, Hamilton stays to the left of the track and then hangs on around the outside into Turn One to complete the move. That's one for the scrapbook.

Lap 28

Lewis Hamilton is all over the back of Nico Rosberg! He's snaking one way and then the next. Hamilton is having the time of his life out there. The pass is coming.

Ben Edwards

BBC F1 commentator

"Rosberg is definitely struggling but can Hamilton find a way past him?"

Get involved #bbcf1

Janine Pingree: LOVE Suzuka! She never disappoints - always a great race!

Pogba: DRS enabled....It's race time...Cameras on both Mercedes drivers please.

Lustig: DRS enabled ... now for some fun!

Lap 27

Huge moment for Lewis Hamilton at Turn One, the Briton locking up and running off track. However, unlike in third practice, he keeps it out of the barriers and within half a lap, is back on Rosberg's tail. Rosberg is really struggling with oversteer.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"This is a brilliant race. This is not just about the race but whoever wins it puts them one step closer to the world championship."

Lap 26

Lewis Hamilton is hunting his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg down. The gap is down to seven tenths of a second.

Lap 25

Sergio Perez runs off the track at Turn Eight before rejoining. The Mexican is currently ninth, 10 seconds behind his Force India team-mate Nico Hulkenberg in eighth. It's not raining, but it's still wet.

Lap 24

AP

DRS has been enabled by race control with Lewis Hamilton just eight tenths of a second behind Nico Rosberg as they battle for the lead.

More misery for Ferrari as Kimi Raikkonen's pit stop takes an age. They eventually get him out, but the Finn has tumbled out of the points.

1) Ros 2) Ham 3) But 4) Vet 5) Ric 6) Bot 7) Mas 8) Hul 9) Per 10) Gut

Get involved #bbcf1

Ton720: This race may have taken time under SC/Red Flag but it's been totally worth the wait so far

Fern Price: Lovely to see JB in 3rd, doubtful it'll finish this way but absolutely love it

Lap 23

Sebastian Vettel clocks a 1m52.9, which is 1.3 seconds quicker than lead Nico Rosberg. The German is 30 seconds behind Rosberg in fourth place.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"Hamilton has not been faultless, he has made a few mistakes this year. Rosberg has generally been quicker in the first sector today. He appears more comfortable at Dunlop."

Lap 22

Nico Rosberg has a moment at 130R, but collect it and retains a one-second lead over his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso, who retired early in the race: Despite the electrical problem, the weekend has been the best so far for performance, so we will keep trying!

Lap 21

The Red Bulls are the quickest cars on the circuit, even quicker than the Mercedes. Crikey.

However, they are 13 seconds behind Jenson Button and a further 18 behind Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

Lap 20

Jenson Button is having a stunner, the McLaren driver holding a 14-second lead over Sebastian Vettel in fourth and lapping around the same as his Red Bull rival.

Nico Rosberg leads Lewis Hamilton by 1.1 seconds, with Button 18.2 seconds drift.

Get involved #bbcf1

Rachel Bridge: This is phenomenal from Button and Vettel. And Ricciardo's move on Massa was a masterclass!!

Chris: Superb overtake by Daniel Ricciardo on Felipe Massa bold move to take outside for inside position on that corner.

Team radio

Lewis Hamilton's race engineer: "Forecast is no more rain until the end of the race but low certainty."

Lap 19

How does he do it? Daniel Ricciardo finds grip where no one else can, passing Valtteri Bottas in the same place that he passed the other Williams of Felipe Massa. The Australian is up to fifth.

Lap 18

Lewis Hamilton takes half a second out of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and is now almost within one second.

Elsewhere, the Red Bulls are still flying, while the Williams struggle through a lack of downforce. Sebastian Vettel goes around the outside of Valtteri Bottas at the hairpin for fourth.

Team radio

Nico Rosberg's race engineer: "Expecting light rain in eight minutes."

Lap 17

BBC

This lad Daniel Ricciardo really is something special. The Australian sells Felipe Massa, who is really struggling for grip, the dummy through the Esses and makes a move stick around the outside to get the inside going into Dunlop for sixth. Great racer's instinct.

Jennie Gow

BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"Good news. FIA say there are only small and light showers to the south of the circuit."

Lap 16

Nico Rosberg sets the fastest lap of the race to extend his lead to 2.1 seconds over Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes are lapping more than two seconds a lap quicker than anyone else.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel passes Felipe Massa at the hairpin for sixth. Daniel Ricciardo tries his luck on the Williams, but he can't follow suit.

Get involved #bbcf1

Nick Holland: Loving your comms BBC 5 live Tom Clarkson, Allan McNish on the Red Button Multiscreen - Best way to watch :-)

Got a big screen television? Why not switch to Red Button to watch the race via multiscreen and pretend that you are down on the F1 pitwall. Also available online by clicking the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page, but minus the pretending to be on the pitwall part.

Lap 15

Nico Rosberg regains the lead of the Japanese Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton pits and rejoins behind his team-mate.

After the pit stops have shaken out, Jenson Button is the big winner having climbed up to third. Here's the top 10: 1) Ham 2) Ros 3) But 4) Bot 5) Mas 6) Vet 7) Ricc 8) Mag 9) Rai 10) Hul

Lap 15

BBC

Lewis Hamilton is pushing! But he's pushed too hard and gone off at Spoon curve. That mistake could cost him the chance to get back out ahead of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Lap 14

Nico Rosberg pits. Lewis Hamilton stays out there. Can Hamilton do enough on this lap to snatch the lead? Oh, the tension.

Jenson Button, meanwhile, is now up to third. What a call from the Briton and his McLaren team to pit for intermediates when the safety car came in.

Lap 13

Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel pit for intermediate tyres and rejoin in the same formation, however, Vettel gains a place as he comes out ahead of Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who stopped the lap before.

Lap 13

Jenson Button is up to eighth place, having been last. So it was a good move from McLaren. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamiton sets the fastest lap of the race to reduce the gap to leader Nico Rosberg to 1.6 seconds.

Get involved #bbcf1

Gus Sette: Very brave move from Jenson Button pitting straight away for #Inters. Go Jenson!

Martin: Massive mistake by McLaren/Button coming in for inters. Can't see it being inspired.

Lap 12

It's super busy in the pit lane as several drivers react to Jenson Button's strong pace. Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas are among those to switch to intermediates.

Team radio

Jenson Button's race engineer: "Jenson you are matching the Mercedes, this is a good move."

Lap 11

Sergio Perez puts a move on Daniil Kvyat for ninth. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel has less success with an attempted pass on Kevin Magnussen for sixth and backs out of it.

Team radio

Williams' Felipe Massa: "Conditions are so bad. So bad."

Lap 10

We're back under way, folks with Nico Rosberg leading Lewis Hamilton into Turn One. Jenson Button has rolled the dice and pitted for intermediates. Could that be an inspired move?

Lap nine

BBC

Some drivers may come in with the safety car and gamble on taking on the intermediate tyres. The frontrunners are unlikely to do so, but those in the midfield could feel it's worth the risk.

Lap nine

BBC

The safety car is coming in at the end of the lap leading to a huge cheer from the main grandstand. Let's do this. At last.

Get involved #bbcf1

Amy Brown: I love it when Lewis wants to go racing. C'mon, let's race.

David Highkinen: It's in Rosberg's best interests to get going too. At racing speed, better chance of Lewis falling off.

Sarah: All I can hear from Lewis Hamilton is Moan Moan Complain Moan Moan.

Lap eight

Race director Charlie Whiting is ignoring Lewis Hamilton for now, with the safety car staying out for another lap.

1) Ros 2) Ham 3) Bot 4) Mas 5) Ric 6) Mag 7) But 8) Vet 9) Rai 10) Per

Team radio

Lewis Hamilton: "It's not far off intermediates already."

Lap seven

The safety car is still out there, despite Lewis Hamilton insisting that the conditions are good enough to get this race under way.

Team radio

Lewis Hamilton: "Charlie [Whiting], the track is fine."

Jennie Gow

BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"Nico Rosberg has been told that he has a problem with telemetry."

Team radio

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne: "Conditions are fine now, perfect to drive."

I think perfect is stretching it Jean-Eric.

Lap six

So it has stopped raining and several drivers have said on team radio that the conditions have improved to the extent that the safety car should pull in. But it is still very wet out there. And visibility will be very poor when they move up to racing speeds.

Team radio

Valtteri Bottas' race engineer: "The band of rain we spoke about in half hour is not going to happen, it will come later. Expect the race to end on lap 40."

If that's the case, full points will be awarded.

Lap six

"The track is as good as it is going to get," says Lewis Hamilton. "Puddles are not a problem." That man wants to go racing. Now.

Get involved #bbcf1

Lucas: Alonso has travelled a greater distance on the motorbike than in his car.

Adam Craig: Wow, very short race for Alonso today. I was hoping to see more from Ferrari

Couch commentator: Right. If the track is only going to be suitable for 30 minutes, pull in that SC and let's go racing!!

Lap five

Lewis Hamilton reports that the track is drying while Daniel Ricciardo says it's getting close to a stage where the race should be restarted.

Lap four

Replays show that Fernando Alonso lost power before pulling over. The Spaniard's car has now been removed from the circuit. Meanwhile, the safety car continues to lead the field around.

Jennie Gow

BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"Fernando Alonso has just come into a the paddock on the back of a scooter. He'll be glad he's leaving Ferrari. Potentially his car failed after water got into the electrical system."

Multiscreen

Good news, folks. You can watch our brand new multiscreen via your Red Button. You have the option of following drivers onboard with team radio or with the 5 live commentary. The multiscreen is also available on the app and online. Please let us know what you think via #bbcf1

Lotus: Prediction is that the rain will stay away for next 30mins, then it gets interesting again...

Lap three

BBC

Fernando Alonso has rolled to a stop! The Spaniard removes the steering wheel and steps out of the car. His race is over. That's a real shame. He could have been awesome in these conditions.

Lap three

Nico Rosberg asks his team to keep an eye on the weather regarding switching to intermediate tyres. The German suggests it might be better to stay on full wets if they know more rain is coming, even if it dries out.

Go! Go! Go!

The race resumes under the safety car, with the field filing out of the pit lane.

McLaren acting CEO Jonathan Neale: "It is very changeable this afternoon, there is an apparent window here but plenty of weather still to come.

"Our drivers are finding it difficult to find anywhere on the circuit where there is a clear line. We might get some racing but we will lose the light at 05:30 local time anyway."

Get involved #bbcf1

Becca Chaplin: Keeping an eye on #Kimi. How long before he goes off to eat a icecream?

BBC

Safety car driver Bernd Maylander is ready and waiting. Will he be the only man to lead the Japanese Grand Prix today?

The FIA's head of communications has told BBC Radio 5 live pit lane reporter Jennie Gow that the governing body suggested several times to organisers that the race should have started earlier.

There's a meeting of the big cheeses on the pit wall as Mercedes co-team boss Toto Wolff has a chinwag with McLaren racing director Eric Boullier and Red Bull chief Christian Horner.

Fernando Alonso is back in the car, six minutes before the restart. Adrian Sutil isn't in any rush, though, as he's still by the pit wall without his helmet on.

It looks like our weatherman Ian Fergusson was right as the rain continues to ease ahead of the restart. There are still rivers flowing across some parts of the track, so conditions remain very tricky.

Jennie Gow

BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"I've gone out of the back of the garage and it's not raining any more."

Get involved #bbcf1

Declan Harris: I know there's a safety element to this but they get paid enough so just let them go racing!

Dan Phelps: Seems a bit daft to do a least 2 laps to ensure half points and the red flag the race. Why not just delay it from the start??

Dan Palmer: I regret my decision to choose getting up for this rather than have a proper night of sleep.

Lotus' Romain Grosjean on 5 live: "It was undriveable out there."

The rain has eased, but the restart will still be behind the safety car.

Race will restart at 07:25

No soon have drivers removed their ear plugs and helmets than they have to get ready again as race control announces that the race will restart at 07:25 BST.

Most drivers have headed for shelter in their garage. Nico Rosberg is informed that he will get at least 10 minutes warning of a race restart.

Massive respect for the fans, who are braving the conditions with smiles on their faces.

Lotus: If you're watching this at home, great time to go for a cuppa. Milk, no sugar please.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I'm a bit frustrated because we knew a storm was coming at this time."

Red flag

If we don't restart, half points will be awarded. As a result, Nico Rosberg will lead the championship by 0.5 points going to Russia next weekend.

Red flag

BBC

The safety car leads the field into the pit lane, where they line up in formation before switching their engines off. Their mechanics dash over to put the tyre blankets on before popping up their garden gazebos.

Red flag

The race has been stopped. The weather is, quite frankly, appalling so the stoppage is not a surprise.

Team radio

Nico Rosberg's race engineer: "Lewis is saying the conditions are so poor he cannot see you."

Lap Two

BBC

I spoke too soon. Marcus Ericsson, has just thrown his best qualifying result away by spinning at the final chicane. The Swede is beached in the gravel so the marshals head over and give him a push.

Lap One

BBC

The Japanese Grand Prix Formula 1 procession completes it's first lap in just under three minutes. No one has gone off yet.

Team radio

Lewis Hamilton's race engineer: "It's much wetter than you had before, be very careful." Hamilton replies: "The safety car needs to go faster."

McLaren

McLaren: Heavy rain in Suzuka, the pitlane's turned into a river. Need some McLaren wellies.

Go! Go! Go!

The Japanese Grand Prix is go, go, go! The safety car leads into the first corner, with Nico Rosberg heading the field.

BBC

I've got good news from our weatherman Ian Fergusson. He reports there is a dry phase behind this race which will ease fairly soon and looks quite prolonged. Hurrah!

Get involved #bbcf1

Sean Sutton: Yes, the Japanese Grand Prix will start behind the safety car. Fair decision, but we do have a championship on the line here.

Chris Downs: If Japanese GP stops before 3/4 distance, and things remain as they are, then Rosberg will lead Hamilton by 0.5 points! Tight!

Carl Taylor: Enjoy the Rosberg 2-lap procession. He will complain it's too wet to race to get it stopped.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"The rain in Suzuka is bad news for Williams. The team have looked a clear best of the rest behind Mercedes this weekend, but while the car has been increasingly impressive in dry conditions this year, it has tended to go backwards in the wet.

"Valtteri Bottas said: 'We know that we might struggle a little bit more in the wet but there now seems to be also a bit of a margin behind us so hopefully we can still fight for a podium if it's really wet. But I think like everyone and for the fans, it would be really nice if we could really have a good race so that the rain would not be too much. Let's hope for the best.'"

Video

BBC

Here's the interview with Nico Rosberg that has just run on the race preview show on BBC One, where the German said the booing he received after the Belgian GP hurt him.

It's raining. A lot. "These are the worst conditions we've seen all day," says BBC F1 commentator Ben Edwards.

Getty Images

The fans are ready. The drivers are ready. Are you ready? Just four minutes until we're under way.

"It was very difficult," says Romain Grosjean of his reconnaissance lap. "Driving on my own was fine but when the Sauber was in front I couldn't even drive in a straight line. It's tough to race. I feel nervous."

Get involved #bbcf1

Nathan Harley: This (rain) should make thing interesting

Katy: Starting under the safety car... me thinks this is going to be a dull race.

Karl: Can't believe I got up early to watch a safety car start!

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"The big moves in the driver market made for an uncomfortable set of interviews after qualifying for McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen, who were well aware that Red Bull's announcement that Sebastian Vettel was leaving meant it was extremely likely that Fernando Alonso was going to take one of their seats.

"Magnussen was asked whether Alonso would be a good addition to McLaren, and he replied: 'To be honest, I think he would be a good addition to any team,' before going on to say very nice things about Button, who 'deserves a lot of credit, maybe more than he gets'. Button, whose patience for these things is thinner after years of experience, was shorter. 'Hopefully we'll know soon so I can sort my life out,' he said."

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Australian Daniel Ricciardo, 25, has been the star of the season and is the only driver other than Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to stand on the top step in 2014. However, if there's one thing he could improve on, it's his starts, having dropped places on the first lap in four of the last five races.

"You have to be sharp, spontaneous and intelligent," says Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on the decision to start the race behind the safety car. "In the rain it is very good to be out in front as you don't have much spray. It should be two hours of excitement."

Coverage

BBC

We have a new feature for you this weekend to go with our new-look live coverage. It's a multiscreen viewing option, which will be available at the top of this page, along with the extra camera streams on offer. It's also featured on the Red Button.

BBC

It's tipping it down now at Suzuka. David Coulthard has popped his umbrella up, but I have to say it's too late. He's drenched. That's going to be one soggy commentary box.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

Getty Images

"How much are Ferrari losing now Fernando Alonso has decided to go? One man who knows is Williams performance chief Rob Smedley, who worked alongside the Spaniard for four years as Felipe Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and has observed Michael Schumacher from a similar distance. Smedley says: 'I have often gone on record to say that Fernando is the very best driver of his generation. I am a massive fan of his. I would go so far as to say if not ever. He is that good. He brings that much performance to the team.

"I am very much surprised they have parted ways. It was obviously a mutual agreement or disagreement. But that is their business. I hope for the sport he finds a top seat and I would echo his ambitions as well. I hope he does get another couple of championships under his belt before he retires, because he deserves it. He's that good.

"'I was working on the other side of your garage. To have Fernando as your team-mate, as most people have found out - Kimi Raikkonen has certainly found out this year - is not easy. You are talking about very good drivers who sit beside him on the other side of the garage. I don't think there is anyone in this paddock could live with him.'"

Mercedes co-team boss Toto Wolff says a safety car start is "a pretty sensible thing to do".

Nigel Mansell is rocking a sensational white bin-bag style raincoat. The 1992 world champion, who will conduct the podium interviews, reports that it will be a safety car start. I repeat, it's going to be a safety start.

What are the conditions like out there? "The spray is unbelievable," says McLaren's Jenson Button. "It is never nice. I don't know what will happen. Hopefully we can start behind the safety car."

Get involved #bbcf1

Nick: Dear the F1 world, this weather is considered as a bright sunny day in Manchester.

Simon Davies: Cup of tea, jam donuts, Japanese GP. Good morning!

Breakfast of champions that, Simon.

David Coulthard grabs an umbrella as the rain starts to intensify. Just 14 minutes until the start.

Getty Images

Japan's Kamui Kobayashi finished third for Sauber in his last Japanese GP start for Sauber back in 2012, and also finished seventh in his rookie year in 2010, when he made more overtaking moves than any other driver in the race (four, in a pre-DRS era).

A repeat performance is unlikely this year with his Caterham well off the pace and some serious ground needs making up after he crashed in second practice.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Felipe Massa is a straightforward kind of guy, and he helped cut through some of the fog surrounding Fernando Alonso's situation on Saturday. The Brazilian said his former team-mate had wanted to go to Mercedes, but that this was not an option because Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were unlikely to move. 'In my opinion, nothing will happen with Mercedes,' Massa said. 'To go to Mercedes is what Fernando wanted definitely. He will try everything he can to go there but I don't think he will have a chance to go to Mercedes next year. So in my opinion the only place is McLaren.

"But honestly McLaren is not on the best moment and these cars are so complicated so I don't believe Honda will arrive and have the best engine straight away. It will not be easy for them. so Fernando is going to a team he has no idea where it is going to be. He is thinking forward to the possibility to win the championship or maybe there will be another change at the end of next year.'"

"Could Alonso take a sabbatical, Massa was asked? 'To stay one year out is not nice and it is not nice for F1 either to lose him for one year. He is a top driver, very famous, very important for F1. It can happen, because I know Fernando very well but I don't know if it would be positive for F1 or him.'"

The rain has reduced to a light drizzle, which means the chances of starting the race under the safety car are diminishing. That'll make it more exciting into Turn One.

Red Bull

Red Bull: Final preparations as Seb and Daniel Ricciardo head to the track.

Ferrari must have been hoping for rain all season judging by the lack of pace in their car. Can they capitalise? "The rain will make this race very interesting, a lottery," says Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci. "There could be some surprise."

When asked about Alonso's future, Mattiacci said: "At the moment, you guys know F1 better than me so I cannot say anything about Alonso. There is a lot of work to be done and we are at the beginning."

Force India's Nico Hulkenberg is asked if he wants to try intermediate tyres. "No," comes the reply. Definitive.

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Nico Rosberg has never finished higher than fifth at Suzuka, nor has he ever qualified in the top-five in six starts.

Eddie Jordan

BBC F1 chief analyst

"Nico Rosberg was outstanding in qualifying given what happened in Singapore. He's very strong psychologically. Lewis made a mistake and he broke first. That was a blow mentally and it shows further signs this battle will be titanic."

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This season's title battle has been a two-horse race - Lewis Hamilton v his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

If Rosberg, who trails Hamilton by three points with five races remaining, wins the title this season, only two other drivers in the history of the sport will have started more races before winning their first F1 World Championship.

They are 2009 world champion Jenson Button (169 starts) and Nigel Mansell (176 starts), who triumphed in 1992 (pictured).

Spin!

BBC

Sergio Perez is off again! The Mexican cuts the grass before rejoining.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"I'd be nervous because it is so difficult to see. But in wet conditions you have a chance to go from the back to the front."

Force India

Force India: Making our way to the grid...

Get involved

Daire Rush: It looks very wet out there on the recce laps.

Le Radds: Full wets in Suzuka... This could be interesting! I imagine at least 1 driver will crash on their sighting lap.

We have a car off track! The rear end of Sergio Perez's Force India steps out as the car aquaplanes and spins him round. The Mexican, who wasn't going very fast, reacts well, bounces across the gravel and rejoins. He'll be hoping he hasn't damaged the underside of the car.

Getty Images

We have not had rainfall during a race since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix - 33 races since. That run is about to come to an end.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Rules on races being called off: need to do two laps (even behind safety car) for half points; 75% distance (40 laps here) for full points."

We have cars on track, the drivers spraying up water as they cruise around the track to do a systems check and get their eye in - they want to know where the puddles and rivers ready for the start.

Getty Images

Williams have not had a podium result in Japan since Ralf Schumacher (pictured, left) - remember him?! - in 2004 when he finished second behind brother Michael.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"The only real hope for Jenson is Fernando Alonso takes a year out. If Alonso does move, you'd imagine McLaren would stay with Kevin Magnussen."

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Fernando Alonso was giving nothing away about his future after qualifying, following the announcement that Sebastian Vettel is leaving Red Bull. That is as a result of Alonso leaving, even if it has not been announced yet. Alonso insisted that 'some of the things that are happening are a consequence of my thinking' - a reference to the fact that it was only after he asked to leave Ferrari that they were free to go after Sebastian Vettel. 'Whatever I want to do I will do, and I will race more or less in whatever place I want,' he added. 'After that, the others will move their position.' Again true; his decision to leave has been the key to the market, and when it is confirmed where he will go more dominoes will fall.

"He said he had been 'very clear for the last two or three months. I know what I want to do and everything is moving in the right direction, but at the moment it is not 100% complete.' Again true - he has been talking to McLaren-Honda but no deal has been announced officially.

"What he did not say was what he had decided to do. McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said: 'We don't have a contract for any driver for respect of next year. That's a simple factual statement. The first thing we have got to be is massively attractive to all drivers and I hope we are still very attractive to the two who are currently and more than likely will be driving the cars next year.'

"But there is no answer as yet to the obvious question - why would Alonso leave Ferrari without a firm commitment on his future? There can only be three answers - he retires (highly unlikely); he takes a sabbatical (likewise) or he drives for McLaren, and a deal is already in place."

Getty Images

Rain has hit Suzuka on race day several times in the past - in 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2000 to be precise.

Only in 1994 did the race stay wet from start to finish and in 1988 and 2000 it was nothing more than a mere drizzle.

Tropical storm Ma-On caused havoc in 2004, forcing Saturday's track action to be cancelled and the circuit to be evacuated. Qualifying took place on Sunday morning for the first time.

Andy Swan of Ubimet, the FIA's weather forecaster: "The typhoon is expected to go around Suzuka 06:00 or 07:00 tomorrow morning. It is likely to be light rain at the start with the chance of it getting heavier within the first half hour of the race. I expect there will be problems at the airport tomorrow morning to get to Russia."

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"It is terribly difficult to drive in the wet here as puddles form. The turning of the car is the big difficulty for the drivers. If you're in the middle of the park and in the spray you are driving blind."

We've got 10 minutes until the pit lane opens its doors so that the drivers can head out and assess the conditions before taking their place on the grid.

Allan McNish

BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"The weather will definitely affect the race. I feel this will be a start behind the safety car."

Get involved #bbcf1

Rachel: Been awake since 4am to watch this race live, can't wait for the action between the Mercedes

Eylan Ezekiel: Awake for #bbcf1 at Suzuka... Hoping Typhoon allows race and that locals stay safe.

Lucinda Orr: Now this is hardcore. 2.20 go to bed 5.50am get up and watch the Japanese GP. Grrrrrrrrrrrrroooooaaaaaa. Better be good!

Eddie Jordan

BBC F1 chief analyst

BBC

"Sebastian must have had some very strange evenings in his sleep. But only he has made that decision, I'm quite sure of that. He said there was no problem with the team personnel. I think it is the right time for him to move."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reacts to Sebastian Vettel choosing to leave the team where he has enjoyed so much success: "There's an inevitability about this. He was always going to grow up and go somewhere else. The timing was quite abrupt and if someone's heart was not in it you have to let him go. We wish him the best of luck.

"It can't be anyone but Ferrari. I can't decide why they've not announced it. Michael Schumacher was a massive idol for him growing up. It is a lure for any driver. He's decided the time is right to break the cycle of Red Bull where he's been for 15 years."

Sebastian Vettel, who has won this race four times in the last five years: "Hopefully the rain won't pick up and we can start the race. If it's wet anything is possible. I will just be focusing on the race now."

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Felipe Massa had a bit of fun with Fernando Alonso in the drivers' interview 'pen' after qualifying. As Alonso was doing the round of interviews, dodging questions about his future, his former team-mate came up behind him and said: 'Are you going to Caterham? Huh? Marussia?' Alonso, whose decision to quit Ferrari opened the door for Sebastian Vettel's arrival, could only smile."

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Here's a random stat for you. In years ending in a four rain has been a feature at Japanese GP. In 1994, the race was wet with 13 finishers and in 2004 qualifying had to be postponed to Sunday morning because of a typhoon.

Lotus/Twitter

Lotus: Wet set-up for today's #JapaneseGP drivers parade. Both drivers unequivocally confirm that it is in fact raining.

Eddie Jordan

BBC F1 chief analyst

"The job of getting everything here in Japan off to Sochi would have been a logistical nightmare anyway. So to add in the weather conditions will give a couple of nightmares."

McLaren

The drivers' parade was a bit of a damp squib as Jenson Button and co hovered underneath umbrellas while precariously perched on the back of a vintage car.

David Coulthard

BBC F1 co-commentator

"We don't get many wet races. Now the pressure is really on. This track in the dry is difficult but in the wet it is even more so."

We're live on BBC One, with Suzi Perry,Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard sheltering from the rain. A stream has formed and is running down the pit lane. It's going to be tricky today, very tricky.

Getty Images

And the marshals were even getting in on the act yesterday in qualifying, donning these Halloween masks. The mind boggles.

Reuters

There are plenty of reasons why the Japanese Grand Prix is a special event - and one of those is the fans. If it's not sensational home-made hats, with cardboard cars on top, it's full-on Samurai costumes showing their undying love for a team, in this case Ferrari. The love this sport like no other.

If you're attending the Japanese Grand Prix, chances are you're going to be spending the whole day at the track because of the venue's remote location. But organisers have realised that and kindly provided you with plenty to do.

As well as the racetrack, there is the Kur Garden hot springs, gyms, golf courses, tennis courts, bowling alleys, several hotels and restaurants and of course the the Motopia theme park with the entrance fee included in your ticket. Now that's some package.

The standings

BBC

Mathematically, everyone from Lewis Hamilton in first down to Valtteri Bottas in sixth can win the drivers' title but realistically, it's a battle between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

BBC

In the constructors' championship, there's a chance Mercedes could win the title today if results go their way but even if it doesn't happen it's a case of when, rather than if.

They lead Red Bull by 174 points with 258 remaining.

Track stats - Suzuka

EPA

Venue: Suzuka Circuit length: 5.807km Laps: 53 Race distance: 307.471km Lap record: 1min 31.540secs (Kimi Raikkonen, 2005) Number of corners: 18 (8 left/10 right)

2013 pole position: Mark Webber (Red Bull) 1min 30.915secs 2013 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2013 fastest lap: Mark Webber 1min 34.587secs

No of safety cars deployed since 2009: 5 Average lap speed: 237kph Full throttle per lap: 66% Gear changes per lap: 40

Mercedes

Mercedes: Something tells us this Mercedes Benz might be a little busy today!

EPA

Suzuka is owned by Honda and was built back in 1962 as a test track for the Japanese manufacturer's road cars and motorbikes.

The layout is one of the best, so it's no surprise that F1 came calling in 1987 and since then it has hosted 13 title-deciding races.

Force India

Force India: We're confident the changes made to the VJM07 will help us in this rainy weather.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"Lewis Hamilton went to Suzuka determined to finally win at a track he, like all other drivers, adores. And through practice he did seem to have a potentially decisive speed advantage over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. But things began to unravel at the end of Saturday morning, when Hamilton crashed at Turn One at the start of his final low-tanks run on the softer medium tyres - his qualifying practice, essentially.

"Despite that, he was fastest in Q1, but despite feeling oversteer in the car he said he felt he could drive around it, so left the set-up alone. Then he ran wide in Spoon Curve on his final lap and, with Rosberg faster on their first runs, his chance of pole was gone. No wonder he was in one of his low-energy, monosyllabic moods afterwards."

Get involved

The rain is here! But how heavy will it get? And could we be in for a shock result? Is this the day Caterham take advantage and finally score their first point? Will Kamui Kobayashi be on the podium?! OK, maybe I'm getting carried away, but with the predicted weather, anything could happen!

So fire over your ultimate shock top-threes, with reasons why, and we'll publish the best ones. You can have your say using the #bbcf1 hashtag, by texting 81111 (UK only) or by leaving a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

The grid

You can watch highlights of qualifying here - or save time and simply check out the grid here.

1) Nico Rosberg 2) Lewis Hamilton 3) Valtteri Bottas 4) Felipe Massa 5) Fernando Alonso 6) Daniel Ricciardo 7) Kevin Magnussen 8) Jenson Button 9) Sebastian Vettel 10) Kimi Raikkonen

11) Sergio Perez 12) Daniil Kvyat 13) Nico Hulkenberg 14) Adrian Sutil 15) Esteban Gutierrez 16) Romain Grosjean

17) Marcus Ericsson 18) Jules Bianchi 19) Kamui Kobayashi 20) Jean-Eric Vergne* 21) Max Chilton 22) Pastor Maldonado*

*Pastor Maldonado and Jean-Eric Vergne handed 10-place grid penalties for using up their allocation of five engines and then taking a sixth.

Get involved

James: Waking up this early on a Sunday morning can only mean one thing... F1 time, hope it's worth getting up for!!

Matthew Bonson: Wet in Japan. Definitely makes things interesting. More than enough reason to wake up bleary eyed for.

James Weir: Good morning everyone. Up nice & early again to watch the Japanese GP, this is either very dedicated or completely nuts!

On a circuit where overtaking is tricky and with torrential rain set to make visibility difficult, pole position is comfortably the best place to start.

Nico Rosberg will start from that slot for the eighth time this season, with Lewis Hamilton alongside.

The Williams of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are lurking behind on the second row ready to pick up the pieces if it gets tasty at Turn One.

Getty Images

Welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun for the Japanese Grand Prix, round 15 of the Formula 1 World Championship which this year has turned into a two-horse race contained in the same stable.

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, finds himself in an intense fight with childhood friend and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

The Briton holds a slender three-point lead in the title race with five races remaining, having spent most of the season chasing the German.

He regained the lead last time out in Singapore after his second win on the bounce, but start's the today's race on the back-foot after a crash in third practice hampered his preparations for qualifying and he ultimately lost pole to Rosberg.

Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

"It has been a momentous weekend in Suzuka, with the confirmation that Sebastian Vettel is leaving Red Bull at the end of the season, and the impending confirmation of his move to Ferrari and also, we believe Fernando Alonso's to McLaren. But now there is another question waiting to be answered - will there even be a Japanese Grand Prix?

"The race will be wet, that much the forecasts agree on. But how wet? It rained overnight in Suzuka and has been raining for much of the day. That rain is a foretaste of something much worse to hit Japan - super typhoon Phanfone - and it is expected to get heavier through the afternoon. Will it be so wet that the race cannot go ahead?"

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Morning! Enjoy your lie-in? After a midnight alarm followed by a 1am buzzer, this morning's 5am start felt like a treat. But hey, who needs sleep anyway when we've got the prospect of a Formula 1 race on one of the few great circuits on the planet, eh?

PA

We British are familiar with wet weather. We get drenched in the stuff most days and spend a ridiculous amount of time talking about it.

But we don't often have to deal with typhoons like the one that is on course to hit Suzuka.

The eye of the typhoon Phanfone is set to hit Formula 1's only figure-of-eight circuit, located 50km southwest of Nagoya, Japan's third largest city on Monday.

But while on route, it brings with it torrential rain, destructive winds and the threat of flooding and landslides in time for today's race.

Perfect conditions for a Formula 1 race, then. Oh, hang on....