You wont be surprised to learn that the rain which blighted this morning's session continued throughout the GP2 practice session and now, just minutes before the start of this afternoon's second F1 session, continues unabated.

Air temperature is 11 degrees C and the track temperature is 12 degrees, it is actually cooler (colder to be totally honest) than this morning. And to add to the fun, in addition to the rain, the wind has picked up also.

Kamui Kobayashi led the way this morning, ahead of Maldonado, Ricciardo, Vergne and Webber. Running was limited, with the Lotus and Ferrari drivers only coming out at the very end, and even then only to carry out practice starts. However, even one lap was too much for Felipe Massa who appeared to suffer an engine failure.

The lights go green but nobody seems keen to get to work. As the rain pounds the pitlane Kovalainen is told that it will be "some time" before he'll be going out.

Ferrari confirms that it has changed the engine in Massa's car, the Maranello crew putting the finishing touches to the F2012. The team subsequently reveals that its weather agency, Meteo France, reports there is a "slight chance the rain will decrease or stop" before the end of the session.

Twenty-seven minutes into the session, a couple of engines finally burst to life. Then, just as quickly, they fall silent.

Looking like he's just wanted in from a RnB video shoot (as if), Vettel climbs a marshal rostrum in order to wave to the crowd.

At the back of the McLaren garage, Lewis Hamilton, looking as bored and frustrated as the rest of us, is on his mobile phone, tweeting or texting, possibly to Nicole.

At half-time, it's: …, well, nobody has ventured out, not even for an installation lap.

Finally, at 41:52, there's movement. An engine fires up and moments later Rosberg heads down the pitlane.

After a nerve racking couple of minutes the German returns to the comfort and safety of the pitlane. However, he is immediately sent back out again as the team want him to carry out a practice start. He is followed, shortly after, by teammate Schumacher and then Kovalainen, the Finn given a raft of instructions.

As Rosberg returns to the pits (again), Kovalainen spins at Les Combes, the conditions really atrocious. The Finn follows Rosberg's example and returns to the pits while Schumacher stays out for a second lap.

The seven-time champ completes three laps in total - but doesn't post a time - before making a very late decision to pit and then go straight back out again.

When Schumacher finally returns to the pits he is replaced by Hamilton, Vettel, Hulkenberg and Button. Massa also comes out to play, eventually, but nobody looks likely to post a time… as the clock ticks down to 15:00.

At 8:25, Senna makes his first appearance of the day - the Brazilian having handed his car over to Valtteri Bottas this morning. The Williams driver looks likely to be out there simply in order to perform a practice start as opposed to posting a time. At this late stage it doesn't look as though we'll be getting any times today.

If, as seems likely, nobody posts a time, we cannot remember the last time that this happened. Even the hard pressed fans at Silverstone got more action than this.

As the session ends, eighteen drivers have made an appearance, however, only eight completed more than two laps. Schumacher (four) being the busiest.

At the death, Alonso posts a 2:50.497, pipping Maldonado and Glock. However, despite running through the pitlane and coming back out to perform a practice start, Pic is officially the fastest man ahead of Ricciardo, Alonso, di Resta, Maldonado, Glock, Kobayashi, Vergne, Hulkenberg and Perez. Which makes as much sense as anything else today.

Check out our Friday gallery, here.