Carlos Sainz is also on the intermediate tyres and he goes fastest, dipping below 1:50 with 1:49.434. If Max Verstappen's time hasn't tempted other teams to make the switch, Sainz's time might just do the trick.

Max Verstappen's Toro Rosso has had some intermediate tyres bolted on and he goes second fastest with 1:50.940. Verstappen is only the third driver to switch to the green walled compound, but that time might encourage others to follow suit.

Felipe Massa, who currently has the sixth fastest time, runs off at Turn 9 and into the gravel as he tests the limits of the circuit in the wet conditions.

As he does so, Nico Rosberg is purple through all three sectors to improve his pacesetting time to 1:50.077.

Valtteri Bottas is not quite so successful at keeping his car on the track soon after, though, as he runs wide through 130R. No dramas though as he swiftly corrects himself to get back on the circuit.

More times on the board now as Sebastian Vettel goes second fastest with 1:51.270.

Still just the one lap completed for Lewis Hamilton. No sign of him heading out again any time soon.

Nico Rosberg is back in the Mercedes and goes fastest with 1:51.117.

Williams have sent their drivers out on intermediates and Valtteri Bottas has a moment of oversteer as he flies through a puddle, but keeps it together.

At least Romain Grosjean has been able to keep his sense of humour despite the uncertainty surrounding Lotus. 

He told Lee McKenzie that his current situation is "a bit like camping", adding: “We have some friends around the paddock who are helping us get some food. It is not going to stop us trying to get a good result. The guys are not so unhappy having pizza and burgers.”

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Suzuka

“Things are still not looking that great for Lotus. Romain Grosjean had to do his interviews under an umbrella outside on Thursday because the team were locked out of their hospitality unit, a result of their ongoing financial problems. The unit remains locked on Friday morning. As the planned sale to Renault drags on with no apparent conclusion, what is the future for this once-great team?”

We've finally got some times on the board as Max Vestappen clocks a 1:51.741. His Toro Rosso team-mate is also out on the circuit and also completes a timed lap - a 1:52.201.

That's that for Nico Hulkenberg's little spell on the track just now as he is rolled back into the Force India garage to leave the circuit silent once again.

The circuit is still very wet as Nico Hulkenberg heads out for another installation lap.

Meanwhile, Mercedes look unlikely to venture out again any time soon, with both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg out of their cars.

Image source, BBC Sport

Drivers are pretty much taking it in turns to have a venture out on to the circuit as teams discuss how much running to do, given the weather. Nico Rosberg has popped out, as has Fernando Alonso. 

Still not quite enough to delight those hardy McLaren-Honda fans who have braved the rain.