Good morning everyone and welcome to live text commentary from free practice two of the Japanese GP at Suzuka.

We'll be back tomorrow for more action from Suzuka. At 3am UK time there's the final practice session, while at 6am it's time for qualifying.

So Button top of the tree for the second session in a row, but Red Bull ominous on the 'race' stint. All to play for tomorrow though.

A note on Maldonado - Williams say it was an engine problem which led to the car grinding to a halt. Plenty for the Williams team to do before qualifying tomorrow.

That brings the session to a close. There'll be an opportunity to do a practice start before the session winds up.

So Vettel and Webber are third and fourth on the timesheets, but it really looks like their session after the times they've laid down in the last 20 minutes.

Kobayashi runs wide on the Spoon curve - he's been very erratic today - far from his best ride in the Sauber.

Electrical problems for Trulli's Lotus - he's had a thoroughly frustrating day.

Senna dives into the pits - he's going to knock off four minutes early for the day.

Massa due in the Ferrari garage - it appears he may have a tyre switch to a softer compound as the session draws to a close.

Although having had a little bit of clearer air, Button responds with a 1:38.9. So McLaren are closer to Ferrari than Red Bull.

Hard to be entirely sure what Button's true 'race' pace is - he's had a lot of traffic to contend with.

Schumacher complains on the radio of 'funny behaviour' from the rear end of the car. He's lapping in the 1:39s.

Alonso certainly pushing hard, but he's running in the low 1:39s, while Vettel is in the high 1:37s.

Always hard to be exactly sure what fuel loads the drivers are running - but on first impression it looks as if Red Bull are quickest. Webber and Vettel a good second ahead of Alonso. That's ominous.

A little belatedly, Hamilton is heading out for a few laps.

Rosberg about three-tenths of a second behind Schumacher on pace - the veteran has always enjoyed himself at Suzuka, and has had two very decent practice sessions this morning.

Adjustments being made to Hamilton's car - that's why he hasn't got out on the track yet.

The Mercedes duo are in the pits, but they are the exception. Hamilton and Kobayashi also in garage, but the rest are on their 'race' stints.

Some team-mate battles - Petrov well ahead of Senna (9th, 14th) -Di Resta behind Sutil (12th, 15th).

McLaren look very good in these first two sessions - and Button has had the edge on Hamilton in both the morning and afternoon.