Kvyat tops Mercedes in rainy FP2

F1 Grand Prix, GP Japan, Circuit Suzuka

Daniil Kvyat was fastest in the second practice session at Suzuka, Japan as rain continued to fall down on the track. Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was a close second while Lewis Hamilton was third fastest.

As is usual in these conditions, most drivers ran a limited programma, with Kvyat completing just 6 laps.

Contrary to the morning session, conditions were best in the first 30 minutes. Immediately after Kvyat's best time, the skies darkened and rain hit the track, following a period of better conditions with running on intermediate tyres.

Beyond that point, Vettel completed several laps at around the 2 minute mark, reporting a lot of standing water and aquaplaning as a result. Both Mercedes also completed reconnaissance laps in that period while Fernando Alonso only ran in the second half of the session as well, having missed the best conditions as McLaren was working on his car.

Bottas was the only man not to run during this session, saying this was aimed at saving tyres for the remainder of the weekend, knowing that more rain and wet weather running is expected on Saturday and during the race.