Latest positions in Fuji:
1.
Piquet (Renault)
2. Glock (Toyota)
3. Rosberg (Williams)
4. Trulli (Toyota)
LATEST ACTION (all times BST)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used) By Sarah Holt
0605: Felipe Massa pops to the top of the Toyota target ...
Serena plans new era of dominance ...
Upset at Belgian Grand Prix ...
Ferrari fastest in first practice ... timesheets, clocking 1:18.727 for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton is looming behind him on the track. Who'll take the early advantage?
0602: A quick word on the tyres for you. Both softer compounds are running with painted green grooves as a mark of Bridgestone's support for the FIA's Make Cars Green campaign. Most drivers are expected to run on the dry tyres as they go in search of a hot lap.
0600: Hurrah it's my favourite early bird - Renault's Nelson Piquet, who is the first man out of the pits. He's followed by home favourite Nakajima for Williams.
0558: Almost ready. The track is virtually dry now with only a slight chance of rain during qualifying itself.
0552: Hamilton took his first victory in the rain in Japan last season and the wet weather wizard says he wouldn't mind a bit of drizzle looming over Mount Fuji this weekend. As things stand, Hamilton has a seven-point lead over Massa in the drivers' standings with three races left to run.
Now then, I'm not being a doom merchant BUT after the 2007 Japanese GP, Hamilton had a 12-point lead over former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso - and still ended up losing the crown to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who at that stage was a huge 17 points adrift.
This time McLaren are determined to take a conservative approach to the title run-in but Hamilton, who's looking pretty relaxed, is almost certainly going to go all out for pole - and the win in Fuji.
0545: Final practice ahead of qualifying took place in slippery conditions with the track officially declared wet - though the Fuji Speedway is drying up nicely now. Robert Kubica was fastest for BMW Sauber, clocking one minute, 25.087 seconds.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa eked out an advantage over title rival Lewis Hamilton, posting the seventh fastest time with Hamilton's McLaren running 11th after only completing eight laps.
Both Force Indias were struck by brake and hydraulic problems and because they didn't get going until late in the session they ended up propping up the timesheets.
0537: "It would seem that there is not much to choose between Ferrari and McLaren with Alonso looking strong as well. Rain - if and when it occurs - will only play into McLaren's hands."
Newdutchstar on 606
The 606 message boards will stay asleep until 9am but you can still text me your thoughts on 81111 (UK users only).
0530: Yaaaawn. I reckon the sound of Formula One's speed machines is just what I need to shake off the remnants of jet-lag.
Thank goodness then that a super early qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix is just minutes away. Welcome.
(BBC)
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