FIA announces another qualifying delay

F1’s governing body has delayed the start of Suzuka qualifying for a further 30 minutes.

"No surprise there," said Lotus’ Mike Gascoyne on Twitter, after the safety car did another circuit inspection.

The FIA’s Charlie Whiting had already imposed a half-hour delay at 2pm, given the appalling track conditions.

"I imagine qualifying will be tomorrow morning. That’s the likely scenario," Mercedes’ Ross Brawn said on BBC television.

The FIA’s next announcement will be at 1450.

"Under these conditions there can be no qualifying," said Alex Wurz, who is on the FIA’s stewards panel in Japan this weekend.

UPDATE: the Safety Car went out for another inspection lap shortly before 14.50 and another 30-minute delay has been announced.