In the annual "what is Vettel wearing on his head today" part of this commentary.
Perez's car was stuck in gear, which explains his lack of running so far. He is nearly ready to leave the pits...
@MichaelBialocur: What does that make 2007 Hamilton, then? ;)
Ericsson vaults above both Marussias into P18. Important for him to gain information in this session with Kobayashi's early off.
@Prithvi: They have. The teams are doing the longer runs on the option tyre.
@whyisperezinpits: His Force India has been stuck in gear.
Rosberg told there could be some rain at the end of the session.
The sky is certainly getting a little bit darker out there as the clouds gather.
@timot: I don't think they would build it around one driver, but as he's been there longer than Kimi it's no surprise the development path has followed what suits him.
Perez is on track, meaning every driver should finish this session with a time.
Vergne is back out on track after his earlier off, and he holds a snap through the final curve - a similar snap which forced his former team-mate Ricciardo into the wall.
@RicFan: He's in the pits currently.
JEV told Toro Rosso is expecting rain "in the next few minutes".
Ferrari is fitting a new rear wing to Raikkonen's car.
@ManoharTheodore: Always hard to say on a Friday because we don't know fuel loads etc, but Williams has looked impressive with Bottas' runs in FP1 and FP2 so far. I'd put my neck on the line and say it will be Williams.
The potential Alonso penalty I mentioned does not look like it is the case. There has been a change in his engine, but a rather misleading delegates report says it was all within the rules. Confusion still there, though.
Hamilton has dropped into the low 1:40.000 mark on his long prime runs.
Perez, meanwhile, has gone up to P15 and reports drizzle at Turn 11.
Looks like there are spots of rain out on the circuit now.
Rosberg's long-run pace looking slightly better and more consistent than Hamilton's currently. As always, we never know fuel runs and whether both drivers have had clean runs etc.
@sandy: At the moment it looks like it will come close to Suzuka but not over the circuit. There is likely to be some heavy rain on Sunday - but FIA seems to be determined to keep timings how they are at the moment.
Umbreallas appear to be going up some of the grandstands.
@RishabhBhardwaj: He is being hyped, but it is far too early to say just yet. He's clearly got bags of potential - how that translates into race pace will be the big story.
Just saw a shot of Mansell in the paddock - fresh with a moustache! Super stuff.
@Salman: They can go back to 'used' components, but these only have a certain lifespan before they have to be shelved completely.
@RishabhBhardwaj: I wouldn't judge him solely on an accident in a confined public event. He's not been brought into F1 to do doughnuts, after all
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April 10: Free practice 1