Hello and welcome to our coverage of qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix. In the hour or so since FP3 finished the heavens have opened, so I doubt qualifying will be getting underway at the scheduled time in just over 10 minutes.

To remind you of what happened earlier, FP3 very much belonged to Mercedes.

It has been confirmed there will be a 15 minute delay to the start of qualifying. It is absolutely bucketing it down so that is a sensible decision. How long the rain remains is yet to be seen.

To whet your appetite a bit, here is ESPN's preview of the weekend's action.

Update from McLaren is positive. They were having a fuel flow issue, which Eric Boullier described as being a "transfer issue", but he said the team will make qualifying. The team completed just eight laps in FP3.

Not a great deal happening at the moment. Drivers just waiting around in the paddock, though Nico Rosberg is tucking into a some food in the Mercedes garage.

Well rain will definitely make things interesting today. Red Bull spoke yesterday about wanting rain, as it was the only way the team felt it could have a shot at pole.

The weather radar suggests heavier rain and thunder is on the horizon. You might want to put the kettle on.

There you go. Start of Q1 delayed by another 15 minutes, next update at 16.20 local time.

I'm sure Jenson Button will be getting slightly nostalgic about 2009 right about now. These conditions at the moment look exactly the same as those that prematurely brought that race to a premature conclusion, handing him his third career victory.

This rain might be bad news for Williams. Both of its drivers looked slightly off in qualifying in Melbourne when the rain came down and that may be on the cards again today.

Ferrari will be encouraged by Kimi Raikkonen's performances in each free practice sessions this weekend so far, he's finished second, second and third. What rain does to its qualifying ambitions remains to be seen.

I still personally think a Mercedes will be on pole, regardless of the conditions, but it certainly brings Red Bull into the equation.

I'm fascinated to see Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel have a chance to exchange some times in qualifying if both stay free of problems. Fascinating to gauge how close the Australian is to Vettel at this point in time.

Ian says "The last 3 years it seems who leads out of the first corner drives off into the distance.....F1 is meant to be the cutting edge, not leading fuel economy race or the polite driver award. Let the drivers race...bring back refuelling ,no limit, unlimited tyres, not knowing how much fuel they have in qualifying."

We're three minutes away from our next update. It's still raining pretty heavily.

I'll open it up to the floor. Who is your tip for pole now that the rain has entered the equation in Sepang?

The safety car is going around the track but it looks like even that is having trouble sticking to the road. There is a lot of water stuck on the track, we'll almost certainly see an extension to this delay.

And there we have it. A further 15 minute delay. Next update at 16.35 local time.

Christian Horner says he is confident the cars will be out running at 16.45.

Kevin Magnussen and his father Jan look in good spirits in the pits. Jan gave a TV interview earlier and was still beaming with his son's debut podium two weeks on.

Benedict Cumberbatch is doing the rounds in the paddock, currently in conversation with Felipe Massa. Maybe he's been brought in for some technical advice following the success of Sherlock. But I doubt it.

It looks like the rain has stopped coming down quite as heavily. Pockets of blue sky threatening to burst over the track, too.

Kamui Kobayashi says he "enjoys" moments like this. I don't quite understand what he means by that.

Encouraging signs as people seem to be appearing from within their garages and standing out in the open air. That next update is five minutes away.

collingwoodsteelers says: "The f1 boss's ,who would have viewer entertainment on their mind, have done pretty well with the new format. It's got winners like Red Bull mixed up and others have come up..entertainment."

Not so much at the moment, mind!

The weather radar predicts "further intense activity". But the track temperature has gone up, as well...

The safety car is back out and immediately you can see there's less water on track. Though there's a big puddle of water around Turn Three which will be a concern.

Rhys Doyle says: "The race should be called off."

Possibly premature there, Rhys. The activity going on in the pit lane suggests qualifying is about to kick off shortly.

Kimi Raikkonen is sitting in his car so it's clear what he thinks of the current conditions.

The wet track should throw up a surprise or two in Q1. It would be great to see Caterham, or even Marussia, make it through to Q2 today.

The new delay is five minutes long. Next update at 16.45.

Just to give you a good idea of those conditions earlier.... © Sutton Images

Lots of activity in the paddock now. I'd imagine the next update will be the one we've all been waiting for.

Siddesh V says "Assuming no further rain, is there any chance that the track will dry well enough for slicks at some point? How is the drainage?"

The humidity in Malaysia means the track usually dries out quite quickly, but there is still a big dark cloud above the paddock so there could be light rain still on the horizon.

The safety car is out for the third time and it's clear the track is drying quickly.

I would be very surprised if this session is not underway shortly. But I'll also be surprised if there's not another shower later, too.

Race control confirms qualifying will start at 16.50.

There's a statement if ever I saw one. Both the Mercedes make their way to the end of the pit lane to be first out. They'll be sat there for over two minutes.

I was wrong about wets, by the way - all the cars I can see in pit lane at the moment are on inters.

Ron Olivier says:"Rhys is spoiltsport! [see 16.33] Wet races are exciting! Love them ..."

Lewis Hamilton, sat at the front of the queue in the pit lane, is told over the radio the team expects more rain in Q1.

And they're underway, but Marcus Ericsson has stopped in the pit lane after getting about four yards.

Only McLaren has opted for full wets on both its cars.

Lots of spray and standing water in parts, too. Hamilton is on to his first timed lap - brace for a lot of activity on that timing screen.

All 22 cars are on track as Hamilton crosses the line, setting the benchmark of 1:57.309 but Rosberg immediately goes faster.

McLaren realise the error of its ways and call in Magnussen into the pits for inters. Button's lap on wets nearly six seconds off the benchmark set by Rosberg.

The nearest challenger to Mercedes is Daniel Ricciardo, a massive 1.725s down on Rosberg's benchmark of 1:57.183. Vettel is asked to pit as he has an issue with his car.

Romain Grosjean is up in eighth as the rain starts to get heavier. That would explain why times are not quicker. McLaren will be kicking itself.

Alonso goes fourth fastest, still 1.852s off Rosberg. Magnussen is out on track, and moves briefly out of the bottom six but will need another run to stay there I would imagine.

Vettel has left the garage again. Hamilton just 0.019s off Rosberg. All 22 cars are on the track now with just over seven minutes left of Q1.

We have a yellow flag....

But it doesn't last long as Gutierrez recovers his car on Turn 11. Rosberg complains about rear degredation and confirms the rain is getting heavier.

Vettel goes third fastest, 0.471s off Rosberg's time. That's nearly a second and a half off the nearest challenger that isn't in a Silver Arrows.

Bianchi gets all sorts of sideways during a timed run and he'll need better if he wants to get out of the bottom six. Lotus will be encouraged that Grosjean is currently a long way off the drop zone, though Maldonado is 17th.

Both Mercedes and Red Bull's are in the pits. Everyone else is still on track but no-one seems to be improving on their times. Maldonado does but does not jump out of the bottom sixth.

Big moment as Marcus Ericsson gets in a mess at the approach to Turn Four, collecting another car and spraying debris across the track with 35 seconds left.

Unsurprisingly, that's now a red flag. Bad news for Maldonado and Sutil, who are the biggest names to drop out of Q1. Ericsson just seemed to completely lose grip on that approach and slid off the track and nearly collected a Toro Rosso. We are starting to get used to seeing Caterham's with smashed front ends.

I thought Ericsson had just collided with another car but he bounced off the wall, and it was actually Gutierrez who he came close to colliding with. That looked a bit scary from the on board.

There you go, that's the end of Q1 as race control confirms it will not restart. Maldonado, Sutil, Bianchi, Kobayashi, Chilton and Ericsson who drop out.

Mercedes looked at ease in that session but impressive stuff from Vettel to go third. After impressing over the practice sessions Raikkonen has dropped down to seventh, over a second down on Rosberg and half a second behind team-mate Alonso.

Christian Horner confirms Vettel needed a reboot during that session, which obviously worked.

Q2 is coming up shortly.

They talk about giving a trophy out at the end of the season for the most poles but at the moment they need one for whoever qualifies third. Mercedes looks untouchable.

Again, Hamilton is quickest out to the pit lane exit. Everyone but Raikkonen on full wets from what I can see.

The 15 minute Q2 session is underway.

Raikkonen is slowing and being passed quite quickly - there's a huge amount of water on the track so I think Ferrari's gamble might not have worked.

Kvyat has hit the back of Alonso and the session has been red-flagged.

That seems like a really small incident to red flag an entire session. Alonso's wishbone has been completely broken and that will be his session over - big blow for Ferrari!

Kvyat commited to the corner and Alonso just would not have seen him as he out-braked himself down the inside. If he had not ducked down the inside he probably would have collected the Ferrari anyway. Kvyat is getting a new nose and should make it out once this session goes green again.

There's not been an explaination of why the session was red-flagged. Raikkonen complained over the radio he was aquaplaning but most other drivers had opted for the wet tyre (the correct tyre).

Q2 will begin again in less than a minute and a cheeky Gutierrez beats the two Mercedes' to the end of the pit lane.

The session is underway. Surprisingly not everyone on wets, Bottas is one of those on intermediates.

Everyone but Alonso on track, as Ferrari furiously work on that car to try and get him out again. Race against time currently though.

Alonso is back out! It looked like it was curtains for him but fair play to the Ferrari mechanics. He's on wets now, as is Raikkonen, as Bottas continues to struggle on inters but does not return to the pits. Maybe Williams knows something the rest do not.

Bottas is all over the place on those intermediates. Race control confirms it will investigate Kvyat/Alonso incident.

Little surprise as Hamilton and Rosberg go first and second and stay there as the postions below that change. Magnussen takes third from Raikkonen, before Ricciardo then goes quicker than Rosberg, 0.728s behind Hamilton.

Hamilton's benchmark currently 1:59.419. Bottas still persevering with the intermediates but is in the drop zone. It's currently Mercedes, Red Bull, Mercedes, Red Bull.

Surely Williams will call Bottas in. He's improving slowly but is still nearly three seconds off of safety. Team-mate Massa is also in trouble down in 12th. Williams haunted again by the rain.

Vettel goes second fastest, 0.460s off Hamilton but Rosberg has just done the fastest first sector out of anyone.

Hamilton improves his benchmark as Button improves to ninth and Raikkonen goes seventh.

Kevin Magnussen has gone off at the final corner but keeps the engine running. He is currently eighth and dives back into the pits.

We're in for a frantic final three minutes here.

Two tenths separate Button in tenth and Grosjean in 11th. What an achievement it would be if Lotus could get into the top ten shoot out. Massa appears to have opted for full wets, no sign of Bottas yet, I think he is still on wets.

Rosberg goes second, but is still 0.404s off Hamilton.

Bottas has one lap to get the job done on the wets but he is a long, long way off where he needs to be. Button and Perez in a dangerous position as the latter nearly drops his Force India into the wall.

Raikkonen in the garage, as is Magnussen - who looked to have done some damage when he ran wide.

Button goes ahead of Magnussen. Bottas has done a personal best on both sectors but it surely isn't going to be enough. Gutierrez jumps into tenth, relegating Perez but Perez is still on a flying lap.

Only 12th for Bottas, he misses out by four tenths of a second as Kvyat goes 10th.... but only for a second as team-mate Vergne goes faster by five thousands of a second.

Disaster for Williams! Massa goes 13th and both drivers miss out. Grosjean was on a good lap but slides off the track and that compromises his final run. Kvyat, Gutierrez, Massa, Perez, Bottas and Grosjean all drop out.

Got your breath back? We'll be doing that all again for Q3 shortly. It looks like a battle for pole between Hamilton and Rosberg at the moment.

I say that but Vettel split the Mercedes with his final run, going four tenths shy of Hamilton.

Seeing the Kvyat/Alonso incident again... the rookie took evasive action to avoid a crash and ended up in a crash. Interesting to see what the stewards say about that one given the weather.

We are underway for Q3, which is of course now a 12-minute session rather than 10.

Stewards will investigate Bottas and Ricciardo after this qualifying. Apparently the Williams held up Ricciardo during Q2.

I think both McLarens are on intermediates but Magnussen will box immediately after saying it is too wet for intermediates.

Button makes a brave call, going for intermediates just after Magnussen had come in to change to wets. All 10 cars out on track currently.

Raikkonen sets the benchmark of 2:01.218 but both Mercedes are coming down the back straight.

Hamilton goes fastest, followed by Rosberg. Ricciardo jumps to third but then Vettel and Alonso both jump into second and third! Vettel just five tenths down on Hamilton.

McLaren telling Button to keep everything together throughout this session. They clearly think intermediates may work by the end of this session - watch this space. The two McLaren's bringing up the rear in Q3 currently.

Button has give minutes to find some grip. Hamilton crosses the line but does not improve his time. Rosberg gets a little out of shape at Turn 8 and compromises a lap. Only Ricciardo into the pits.

Raikkonen told to keep pushing but says "we have to change the tyres" with rear degradation proving an issue.

There's 1.010s splitting the top four drivers, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso and Ricciardo.

Only Button is on intermediates. He is currently nearly five seconds off Hamilton's pole time. Hamilton comes in for a fresh set of wets, Rosberg queuing behind him. I think McLaren's gamble has failed.

All the guys coming in are coming out on wet tyres as the rain seems to be getting heavier. Hulkenberg improves to seventh, 2.281s off pole.

Hamilton's current benchmark 1:59.431. Raikkonen and Ricciardo slow through the first sector.

Will be interesting to see who gets across the line in time for another run and who doesn't. Vettel slipping all over the place as Hamilton complains he "can't see anything" in all the spray.

Hard to see anything out there now as the flag comes out and Rosberg gets across the line but Vettel does not! Waited for track position and I think he got caught by Rosberg on the final corner. Blow for the world champion.

Alonso does a personal best through the first sector...Hamilton goes off the track at Turn 4 but continues

Rosberg does his best through sector two but I don't think he has enough for pole. Magnussen doesn't improve. Button dives into the pits.

Rosberg goes third fastest! He can't make Vettel pay for missing out on his final run and that means Hamilton breaks Jim Clark's record of pole positions! Quite an achievement.

Hamilton's pole time was 1:59.431. That's his second in a row but he will be wary of Vettel alongside him.

Vettel congratulates Hamilton in parc ferme. The world champion surely has to be happy to be so high up on the grid. Without the rain that looked likely to be a walk in the park for Mercedes.

A bit of a disaster from McLaren to persist with intermediates for Button, he will start down in 10th. Alonso will start fourth, which he will have to be happy with after being outperformed by Raikkonen over this weekend's practice sessions.

If it rains again tomorrow that will be a fascinating prospect for Red Bull. That is the only way I can see anyone catching the Mercedes pair. Please be sure to join us tomorrow at 16.00 local time, 0900GMT and 1000 CET for the second race of the season!