Qualifying begins in Suzuka! 20 minutes to eliminate the seven slowest cars - and the drivers are in glorious sunshine in Japan.

We'll be back tomorrow for the race, which begins at 7am UK time. Join us then!

END OF Q3: Vettel, Button, Hamilton, Massa, Alonso, Webber, Schumacher, Senna, Petrov, Kobayashi

Looks messy at the back there - Schumacher reportedly eased off at the last chicane to get a bit of room, and that held both him and Hamilton up so they could not post a time.

NO! Button misses out by 0.009 seconds. Extraordinary - but Vettel's first once again.

Vettel on pole - but Button is on his pace and coming through....!

Vettel ahead of Hamilton after two sectors...

Time up - Vettel leads them through - did Hamilton and Schumacher get across the line in time to complete a flying lap?

Some drivers are going to be perilously close to missing out on a flying lap as the clock ticks down...

That's more like it - Red Bulls, Ferraris, and McLarens out on track. Could have an interesting finish yet!

The rules will have to be changed. You can understand the teams' logic to qualifying - why would Renault, for instance, come out to damage tyres to fight for 8th instead of 10th? But it's not right for the fans.

Well, nobody is out on track. There's time for a final tilt - but not much time.

And as the rest of the racers fall in, none can beat him. Button a tenth of a second behind, Vettel and nother tenth behind in third. Webber fourth, Massa fifth. So quiet on track - who wants pole?

Belting lap from Hamilton - 1:30.617 to put him on top!

Interesting - although cynical - Kobayashi puts in some sector times, but doesn't complete his lap. That means he'll beat anyone who chooses not to run, but it's hardly entertaining for the crowd.

Kobayashi begins his flying lap, and Button gets on track.

Kobayashi out instantly in the Sauber - the rest don't rush. Can Red Bull take pole today? McLaren look like they have a qualifying package capable of besting Vettel and Webber...

Q3 BEGINS: The men in the shootout are: Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Massa, Schumacher, Senna, Petrov, Kobayashi.

END OF Q2: The men to miss out are Sutil, Di Resta, Barrichello, Maldonado, Buemi, Alguersuari, Perez

Late drama! Petrov and Kobayashi cement their places in the top 10, and so does Senna! Great effort considering the state of the Brazilian's car earlier this morning.

Good news for Kobayashi, he's on track from the first sector to break into the top 10...