F1: Suzuka is hit by rain delay

This morning's qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix was postponed until tomorrow after heavy rainfall descended on the Suzuka circuit.

Persistent downpours washed out the final practice session and forecasters warned the weather was set to get worse.

Only two drivers set a lap time in the one-hour practice session, with rivers of water swamping the circuit and leading to aquaplaning.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gave a bald appraisal of the conditions over his team radio, saying: "It's unbelievable. Impossible to drive. There are massive rivers everywhere."

Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari completed nine laps as he set the fastest time in final practice, although his best effort of one minute 55.902 seconds was over 20 seconds slower than Sebastian Vettel's benchmark in the dry.