There has been non-stop torrential rain for much of the morning, but thankfully half an hour before the race is due to get underway, it has stopped.

Further to our previous report, filed when it was still raining heavily, it is highly unlikely that that the entire field will start from the pitlane, however some well could. Although all twenty cars are on the grid, it is possible that several could peel off into the pits at the end of the parade lap. We'll know soon enough.

Due to the conditions, Saturday's set-ups and planned race strategy, has been thrown out of the window. The teams are not allowed to carry out and major changes to the cars - which will be running on a wet track with virtually no downforce. The only real changes that the teams can make is to the tyres, brake ducts, radiator ducts and front wings, however with twenty minutes until the race gets underway there is still much debate as to whether to start the race on dry or intermediate tyres.

The only ways in which a team can change its car to a more suitable (wet) set up, is to either pit at the end of the first lap, or start from the pitlane. Despite the undoubted bravery of these guys, they will have every right to feel more than a little jumpy at this point in time. Only yesterday, we were 'celebrating' the fact that Juan Pablo Montoya had driven the fastest lap in F1 history. Now, the guy is going to drive on a wet track using the same set up.

Five minutes before the start and the sun is shining, however the first two chicanes and both Lesmos are still wet, not helped by the rain-soaked trees that overhang the track.

What to do?

As the safety car prepares to lead the field away, Nick Heidfeld, who has had a torrid weekend, waits in the Jordan garage, from where he will start.

The air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 26 degrees, extremely cool.

Several cars are starting on dry tyres, including Schumacher, while Barrichello starts on intermediates.

As the cars drive the warm up lap the track seems a lot better than expected, with few damp patches. However, with the field split almost 50/50 between dry and 'wets', it is very much a lottery.

Coulthard dives into the pits to change to dry tyres.

Rubens makes a great start as does Alonso, while Schumacher cuts the chicane. At the second chicane there's chaos as Schumacher spins and several cars go off.

Barrichello leads, as Panis retires almost before the race has started.

At the end of the first lap Rubens leads by 7s with his teammate back in fifteenth. Alonso is second followed by Montoya, Raikkonen, Button, Sato, Massa, Trulli, Klien and Zonta.

Barrichello sets a blistering pace, as Button passes Raikkonen to take fourth. However, Alonso sets a new fastest lap, 2s faster than the Brazilian.

Montoya, under pressure from Button, gets it wrong at the second chicane, which allows the BAR through.