FIA delays qualifying

Suzuka qualifying has been delayed for at least 30 minutes by the FIA.

The session had been scheduled to begin at 2pm local, but after an inspection by the safety car, race director Charlie Whiting has decided on the delay to give the torrential conditions a chance to subside.

Just before 1430, the FIA will inspect the circuit again, and teams will be given 10 minutes notice of a session start.

If the conditions are still too unsafe, a series of 15 minute delays might then be commenced, and if the conditions are still too unsafe at 1630, the session will be postponed altogether due to fading light.

If that happens, qualifying will be held at 10am on Sunday morning, when the rain is scheduled to have stopped.

"I imagine qualifying will be tomorrow," McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh told BBC commentator Martin Brundle at 1400 precisely.

World champion Jenson Button added: "If it carries on like this, we’re not going to be out today."

The FIA inspected the circuit again at 14.20 and elected for another 30 minute delay. A new assessment ot the track conditions will be made at 14.50.

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