Fernando Alonso goes second, but he's bumped down a place as Lewis Hamilton grabs the fastest time with a 1:34.210, three tenths quicker than his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Felipe Massa's time at the top is short-lived as Nico Rosberg goes quickest with a 1:34.516, six tenths quicker.

Valtteri Bottas and then Williams team-mate Felipe Massa stretch their legs, taking it in turns to top the times.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Mercedes look untouchable, at least in the dry weather expected for qualifying. But although Sebastian Vettel was only fifth fastest, behind Valtteri Bottas's Williams and Jenson Button's McLaren in second practice, his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo still believes the world champions can be second best this weekend, even if he was stunned by the size of Mercedes' advantage.

"'I was expecting something like Singapore, being a few tenths off the Mercedes,' Ricciardo said. 'They were really quick. We think they are there and then they pull out a gap like this. Looking at today we are not going to be able to do anything with that in qualifying. Maybe the race will change, but in the dry we could still be third on the grid.'"

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg finally break cover. Stand by.

Jean-Eric Vergne moves into P1, the Frenchman clocks a 1:35.494, three tenths quicker than Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. A strong finish to the season is imperative for Vergne. He needs a seat for next year.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, a three-time winner this year to move him into third in the drivers' standings, goes quickest with a 1:35.885.

Marcus Ericsson spins at the chicane, but keeps the engine running and soon has his Caterham pointing the right way.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has arguably been the star of the season, the only driver to beat the Mercedes in a race, completely overshadowing four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel, and not making a mistake worth the name in the process.

"Well, that last achievement is now consigned to the dustbin after he crashed at the last corner early in second practice. Ricciardo admitted it was his own error after a cool-off lap was influenced by a yellow flag. 'The tyres probably cooled too much and out of the last chicane I got on the power and had a few moments and just couldn't catch it,' he said."

Sebastian Vettel has popped out in his Red Bull, as has his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. No sign of the Mercedes drivers as yet.

Esteban Gutierrez has a huge moment at 130R, running onto the gravel at high speed but just managing to keep his Sauber clear of the barriers.

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne sets the early pace. How long do you think it took the Frenchman, who lost his seat to Max Verstappen next season, to get on the phone and ask if there's still a shot he could stay for 2015? Unfortunately for him it looks like the team will promote Carlos Sainz Jr.

Reece Young:, external Vettel leaving red bull and Alonso possibly going to McLaren ! End of an era for Button?

George Thoupi:, external I hope McLaren pair Button and Alonso, it would be a great base for Honda in 2015. The experience will benefit McLaren a lot.

Image source, Jack Nicholls

"I was very honoured, very surprised," says Daniil Kvyat, who has been promoted to the Red Bull team. "The people around me know I like to work hard and do my best."

Final practice is up and running, folks. Watch in the video console at the top of this page or on BBC Two.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Turning away from the fevered off-track discussion, Mercedes were in a league of their own in Friday practice, even more than normal. Lewis Hamilton was a gob-smacking 1.2 seconds quicker than third-placed Valtteri Bottas's Williams, and in the dry at least - as it is expected to remain for qualifying - he and team-mate Nico Rosberg appear to be completely untouchable.

"The Mercedes drivers admitted to a sense of shock at their advantage. 'It changes from track to track and I don't really understand it,' Hamilton said. 'It's amazing what this team has done, to be able to come to one of the most demanding circuits for downforce and be that competitive is fantastic.' Rosberg added: 'The team has really brought a great car here. It's great to see. I think this track suits us. Yes I am a bit surprised [by the advantage] but the car just feels good.'"

Lewis Hamilton has overturned a 29-point deficit to lead Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by three points with Daniel Ricciardo 57 further back. Check out the full standings here.

Image source, Getty Images

Now to the formbook. Mercedes have been in a league of their own for much of these season and while that gap appeared to close in Singapore's street circuit, it has widened once more on the fast and sweeping turns of Suzuka.

Lewis Hamilton got the better of team-mate Nico Rosberg, but there's very little between them. Which way will the momentum swing this weekend?

Qualifying follows at 06:00, with the build-up show starting at 05:00 on BBC One, and will also last an hour. As usual, it'll be split into three sessions. The first will see the six slowest drivers knocked out. The second will see another six bite the dust. That'll leave 10 to fight it out for pole in a 12-minute shoot-out.

Amid all the chaos, let's not forget that we've got some track action to look forward to! Third practice starts at 03:00 BST with live coverage on BBC Two. It's an opportunity for teams to complete any pre-race preparations and do a qualifying simulation run.