Heidfeld wants practice in bad weather

(GMM) Saturday practice finally got underway at a wet Fuji Speedway at 11.30am, but after three drivers completed flying laps in four minutes of running, the red flags were waved.

Race control said the conditions, specifically the low-lying clouds, had again grounded the medical helicopter.

Every car except Kimi Raikkonen had exited the pits for installation laps, but only Alex Wurz, Nico Rosberg and Jarno Trulli set lap times.

With midday approaching, it is now feared that the conditions might remain the same for the entire day, including qualifying at 2pm.

The pit lane is due to be reopened at 11.45, giving runners a maximum of just 15 minutes of practice.

"It's really unfortunate but we would gladly drive," BMW's Nick Heidfeld told the German broadcaster Premiere, "because the conditions this afternoon and tomorrow could be exactly the same."