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.

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.

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

Image source, 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!

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

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."

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

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."

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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."

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

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