Ahead of today's vital qualifying session, the air temperature is 17 degrees C, while the track temperature is also 17 degrees.

As early as last week it was predicted that the weather would play a major part in this weekend's activities, and while yesterday was not affected too badly, this morning's session was a washout, literally. Other than the heavy downpours, which left parts of the track flooded, the lack of visibility meant the medical helicopter was unable to take off, consequently the session didn't get underway until 12:42, leaving the drivers with just 18 minutes of running. Then, with just 5 minutes remaining, Romain Grosjean span off into the barriers bringing out the red flags.

Consequently, we go into this afternoon's session with little idea as to who's hot and who's not, for while yesterday gave us some insight, the weather forecasts for the remainder of the weekend leave us all confused, even the boffins in the pitlane.

The Williams were quickest this morning, while yesterday it was the Brawns that appeared to have the slight edge, despite the cool temperatures.

Naturally, much attention is focussed on the battle for the Drivers' Championship, however, there is much else to play for this weekend, and drivers such as Hamilton and Raikkonen will be keen to add to their points tally while McLaren very much wants to leapfrog Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.

Whatever the weather, if he is to wrap up the title this weekend, Jenson Button has to up his performance in qualifying, for it is the Englishman's form on Saturday afternoon's that has really hampered his chances for much of the latter half of the season.

Ten minutes before the session is scheduled to start it's raining cats and dogs, however, according to Race Control, there will be no delays because visibility is sufficient for the helicopter to take off, so the session will begin no matter how wet it is.

With five minutes to go, the Safety Car and Medical Cars are on track, and both appear to be struggling such are the conditions. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is electric, the crowd full of anticipation and only too eager to cheer anything that moves, especially if it's Brazilian.

The lights go green and Fisichella leads the way followed by Grosjean, Alguersuari, Buemi, Vettel and a whole host of others. Heidfeld is told that the rain will continue for some time however, the intensity will fluctuate. This is not what a driver wants to hear.

Lots of standing water, indeed, even 'rain master' Vettel is tip-toeing around the track.

The German posts the first time of the afternoon crossing the line at 1:39.694. As he crosses the line lightning rakes the sky.

Fisichella spins coming out of the Senna S and the session is immediately red flagged. Hamilton complains about the conditions admitting that he's aquaplaning everywhere, while Grosjean spins as if to prove the point.