"Problem with the drinks tube," reports Nico Rosberg over the radio. That's something he'll be keen to be fixed swiftly with the air temperature 29C and humidity an uncomfortable 79%.

Just over halfway through the session and the lights have popped on around then circuit, making the cars look very nice indeed. Alexander Rossi has plenty of company now with Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and several others have returned to the track.

Snazzy. This chap is definitely off straight out on the town after second practice...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“It’s fair to say that if it had been known just how bad McLaren-Honda’s season was going to be, a number of people in F1 would have been expecting Fernando Alonso to lose it sooner or later. But the Spaniard - who, lest we forget, joined McLaren on a $40m salary with the express intention of winning a third title - has kept it together admirably well so far. And on Thursday he insisted yet again that he feels he made the right choice in leaving Ferrari, and that things will improve next year.

“‘Everything seems logical and going in the right direction so I think things will change a lot for next year,’ he said. ‘I like what I am seeing so it is quite a positive thing. It is quite exciting starting a new project and working up from zero together. I know I am not young but after I finish three years with McLaren we will see if we are in a position to fight for the championship and if things are not looking good maybe I will think differently.’

He added: ‘It is a matter of trust and confidence. Last year I decided to stop with Ferrari and join McLaren. I did it basically because the project of the McLaren-Honda partnership will succeed sooner or later. Obviously the performance this year is a little lower than the expectations last year but to beat Mercedes you need to do something different. Either you are in a Mercedes car or you are frustrated.

“‘Hamilton and Rosberg are fighting for the championship and the others are fighting for miracles and hopefully the miracle will come from Japan. I am enjoying myself and happy with what is coming for the future. If (the third title) comes I will be happy and if it doesn’t come I will still be proud of my career.’”

Lee McKenzie
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

Image source, Gett

With 50 minutes left of the session, Nico Rosberg leads the way with 1:49.184, followed by Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

Everyone has completed at least one timed lap so far except for Daniil Kvyat. He had reported a loss of power just now, but managed to limp the car back to the pits.

Meanwhile, Alexander Rossi decides to return to the circuit as he continues to familiarise himself with both the circuit, and the car.

It is just starting to go dark and that provides the opportunity for some fine shots of sparks flicking up from behind Rossi's Manor as he circulates the track.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“What sort of a weekend will Williams have? On paper, it does not look that good. Singapore is a low-grip, slow-speed track and Williams have conspicuously not gone well on that sort of circuit this year - just look at Monaco and Hungary. This year has hardly been a disaster for Williams - they hold a solid third in the constructors’ championship and there have been some podium finishes, an excellent performance given they have half the budget of the big teams. But there is no escaping a sense of frustration - especially from Valtteri Bottas - that they have not been able to build as successfully on their progress last year as they would have liked.

“‘I have to say I’m not really that pleased for the results,’ the Finn said. ‘Of course we aim to make a step forward. I think we’ve improved from last year but, compared to others, not really. So, as a team, I think everyone in the team is expecting more and we are aiming to do better in the future. We’re not yet at a peak and we can definitely do better. From my side also, it’s been a very mixed season. A lot of things have not been going to my side, so unlucky races, unlucky results. That’s how it is sometimes.’”

There is just the noise of the nearby traffic at the moment with everyone on the circuit having returned to the pits to hand back the first set of tyres.

Just watching the onboard camera on Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari and it is shuddering about all over the place. Not because of his driving, this circuit is renowned for being bumpy and with 23 corners and a race that lasts for almost two hours, it is a real test for the drivers physically.

The Red Bulls are keeping the pace with the Mercedes in this session as Daniel Ricciardo goes P2 with 1:49.596. Could they be in the fight this weekend?

Nico Rosberg improves his pacesetting time with a 1:49.184, while Lewis Hamilton is back up into P2 after lap that was a shade under a second slower than Rosberg's.

Daniel Ricciardo shoots up to third with 1:50.442. Nineteen cars out on the circuit at the moment.

Plenty of timed laps filling up the timing board now. The Ferraris split the Mercedes as Kimi Raikkonen goes P2 with 1:51.314, with Sebastian Vettel 0.3s slower in P3.

Speaking of Jenson Button, he says he will quit Formula 1 altogether if he does not stay at McLaren-Honda in 2016.

McLaren are yet to decide whether to retain the 35-year-old next season.

"If I'm in F1, it will be with this team," he said. "I have had some tough times here but I have a lot of respect for them and for Honda. This is the team for the future."

You can read more on this here.

Some radio issues for Jenson Button as he reports he can hardly hear what he is being told by McLaren.