Sun out at Suzuka but rain clouds loom

The sun is out at Suzuka on Thursday, but local reports are still predicting a chance of rain for the Japanese grand prix weekend.

The talk in the paddock is a close to 100 per cent chance of rain on Saturday, while Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld said the forecast for Sunday is also not good.

The only truly wet Suzuka race was won by Damon Hill in 1994, with the circuit’s other rain usually falling on practice days.

On a dry track, Red Bull’s RB6 is considered the favourite for victory this weekend, but wet weather would cloud the picture.

"We are not as competitive in the rain and we don’t really know why," Sebastian Vettel is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.