McLaren have joined in with the cloud squiggling too.

By the way, if you want to ask the F1 team anything then tweet to #bbcf1, external and they'll do their best to answer your question on air.

A thumbs down from Marcus Ericsson, who is perched on his seat in the Sauber garage. He's got a nifty little drawing of a rain cloud on his helmet.

Plenty of those above the circuit at the moment. It is, sadly, hammering it down now.

Image source, EPA

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

FIA F1 director Charlie Whiting held a media briefing between the first and second practice sessions. This was mainly focused on explaining the team radio restrictions and qualifying system, but he was also asked about the “halo” cockpit device that is in the regulations to be introduced in 2017. 

Whiting confirmed what we already knew, and which BBC Sport has reported extensively though the winter - that the “halo” is “on a course” to be introduced, although he added that it “needs a thorough risk assessment” and driver access needs to be checked. 

Red Bull have proposed an alternative solution - a screen wrapped around a sort of forward roll structure. But Whiting said this was “considerably further behind in development” and that he “had his doubts it could be implemented for 2017”. The main thrust is to protect drivers from flying wheels - the biggest major concern for cockpit safety because of the extreme danger they pose. 

Well this is fun...

While we wait for someone, anyone, to do something in Melbourne, let's see what our chief F1 reporter Andrew Benson got up to between practice sessions.

Image source, Renault

The session is under way, but no-one is in a hurry to get out on the sodden circuit. Jolyon Palmer is knocking around the Renault garage with slip-ons on his feet. Strong look.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter in Melbourne

"The track conditions are the worst it has been all day, there are a few rivers forming, and that is what will concern the teams a little bit."

Jennie Gow
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter in Melbourne

"The rain has eased a little bit, but surely no-one will bother going out in this weather. What's the point?"

Here's the view from the BBC commentary box. It is still very miserable in Melbourne, and the wind has picked up too.

Right, throughout first practice we were asking for you to tell us what you find more confusing than the new qualifying format. 

Let us know on Twitter via moreconfusingthanqualifying, external

What do I find more confusing? Golfer John Daly's trousers.

Image source, Gett

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking of Toto Wolff, I wonder who will do the podium interviews after Sunday's race?

It will take something to top Arnold Schwarzenegger last year.

I'm 99% certain he had no idea who Nico Rosberg was.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

A bit of light relief. It turns out that Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff is having a small problem with his accreditation. He has only been given a race-by-race pass by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, rather than the permanent pass for the season his status obviously dictates. 

This couldn’t, by any chance, be anything to do with the fact that Mercedes have proved a bit of a thorn in the side of Ecclestone’s attempts to make changes in F1 in recent times, could it? Whatever, Wolff finds it “very funny”. Which it is. On one level, anyway.

And here's the selfie itself. 

The things that go on between practice sessions.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari 'have a bit more up their sleeve this season'.

Whatever they may be hiding, it was firmly stuffed up to the shoulder as they played it safe in first practice, sticking to checking systems after each run. 

Sebastian Vettel was one of just two drivers not to set a time.

Hello, hello! Up early for a bit of practice? Good work. 

If you opted to give first practice a swerve in favour of sleep, you didn't miss much. Lewis Hamilton was fastest but wet-dry weather meant no-one was really able to plan for the weekend, which is expected to be dry. It looks like we are in for more of the same in FP2.

All but two drivers set timed laps in FP1. Those who didn't were Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, who had some problems with his Toro Rosso.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Well I guess that answers that question about the weather then.

Image source, Getty Images

This bespectacled fellow topped the timesheet in first practice, but it was a session that was affected by showers and not a true show of might from the world champion.

Will the wet weather hold off for second practice? Time to find out...

What did we learn from that then? Apart from the fact Renault's garage is VERY yellow, and Melbourne has Manchester-like weather, not a lot. 

For any hardy souls in the UK still up, go get a power nap. We're going to take a short break and will be back with coverage of second practice at 05:00 GMT.

If you can't sleep. Or you are following from somewhere where it isn't silly o'clock in the morning, have a read of Andrew Benson's report.