Ahead of today's qualifying session for the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the season, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is also 24 degrees. The good news is that it has stopped raining… for now. That said, the track remains very damp in patches, which will hurt the early runners.

Following this morning's drama, when Narain Karthikeyan came close to posting the fastest time, and Jordan teammate, Tiago Monteiro, along with the Minardi duo, made it into the top ten, it remains to be seen what surprises are in stroe for us in the next hour.

First out is David Coulthard, and during his out lap it is obvious just how damp the track really is, in some sections the Red Bull is kicking up a massive 'rooster tail'. At the first split the Scotsman posts 38.207, followed by a 25.713 at the second split (That's 1minute 25 seconds by the way). At the line it's 1:46.892, which gives an idea of how wet it really is out there.

Calamity for Pizzonia who spins on his out lap, losing valuable pace. However, he continues and at the first split posts 38.449, he's 0.24 down on the Scot. At the second split it's 26.747, as he falls even further behind. At the line the WilliamsF1 driver posts 1:48.898, he's over 2s off Coulthard's time.

Third out is Robert Doornbos, who looked very good this morning. At the first split the Minardi driver posts 39.566, he's already 1.3s down. At the second split the Dutch driver registers 30.244, it is very, very wet on the back straight - the approach to 130R. At the line it's 1:52.894.

Mark Webber is next out. At the first split the Australian posts 37.558, as he struggles bravely with the car, almost losing it through a couple of the corners. At the second split it's 25.560 as he passes Monteiro, who has spun off on his out lap. At the line the WilliamsF1 driver posts 1:47.233, to go second, having lost a whole load of time in the final sector.

Monteiro is stuck in the gravel at Degner. The Portuguese driver gets out of his car and begins the long hike back to the pits. Luckily, there is a marshal with a motorcycle who gives him a lift back… where the Jordan crew awaits.

Next out is this morning's hero, Narain Karthikeyan. The car slithers around the track during the out lap, the Indian really pushing. At the first split the Jordan driver posts 38.688, he's only 0.48s down. At the second split it's 26.944, he's now 1.2s down on Coulthard. At the line it's 1:48.718, which puts him third. A good, brave lap.

Christijan Albers in on track in the Minardi. At the first split the Dutch driver posts 39.222, he's already over a second down, but pushing. At the second split it's 28.365 as he loses a heap of time in the twist part of the track. At the line it's 1:50.843, which puts him fifth.

Jarno Trulli is on track in the Toyota, however, it looks a real handful. At the first split the Italian posts 37.631 to go quickest, but then gets it all wrong at Degner and spins off, game over. He climbs from the car, only his pride slightly battered.

Jacques Villeneuve is next out, in the Sauber. At the first split the Canadian posts 35.578, the car really twitching as he goes quickest. At the second split it's 25.828, the back of the car really lapping grip through Spoon. At the line it's 1:47.440, which is good enough for third.

Teammate Felipe Massa is next out, what can he do? At the first split the Brazilian posts 38.336, he's down on Coulthard, but it's marginal. At the second split the Sauber driver posts 26.797, followed by a 1:48.278 at the line.