All eyes are on world championship leader Jenson Button in Sao Paulo, but there is a lengthy delay as a downpour of biblical proportions cut the final practice session down to just 13 minutes of meaningful action
When the cars finally take to the track it is difficult to read too much into the performances. Button is third quickest but may be more pleased to have got some wet-weather running in before qualifying
The tricky conditions make for some on-track chaos at Interlagos, Romain Grosjean has an action-packed session as he explores the limits of his Renault, here he is having a moment at Turn One
It's not just the new boys getting into difficulties, though. Even the wily old campaigners like Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen have some trouble. Here the Finnish former world champion performs an impromptu 180-degree turn
The Williams cars seems to enjoy the soggy conditions as they secure a one-two at the top of the timesheets. Long time practice enthusiast Nico Rosberg leads the way
One man who can ruin Button's championship dream is his Brawn team-mate Rubens Barrichello, 14 points behind Button. Barrichello will be roared on by a partisan Brazilian crowd in his home grand prix at Interlagos
The other title contender is Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel who looks in determined mood as he heads into qualifying 16 points behind Button
It's a grim scene in the Interlagos paddock as persistent and heavy rain plays havoc with qualifying, that coupled with red flag delays in both qualifying sessions means proceedings are significantly delayed
Toro Rosso's 20-year old Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi takes a turn behind the camera as some drivers find other ways to amuse themselves on a disjointed day at the Sao Paulo track
What little track action there is provides some amazing drama. Several drivers struggle to control their cars in awful conditions and Lewis Hamilton fails to make it out of the first qualifying session
Red Bull's title-chasing Vettel is also knocked out in the first qualifying session. That's good news for Button, but a disaster for the young German who needs a top-two finish to keep his chances alive
Red Bull's Mark Webber has some choice words over team radio to describe the atrocious weather conditions - in summary the Australian makes it quite clear he thinks it is too dangerous to be out on the track
Williams's Nico Rosberg takes to the conditions like a duck to water and the German is the fastest man in the first qualifying session
Barrichello kicks up some spray as the amount of surface water on the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace reaches worrying levels. Several drivers report that they are aquaplaning and there are a number of offs
The second qualifying session is halted after Force India's Tonio Liuzzi careers off the track because of aquaplaning caused by the huge volume of water on the circuit
Second qualifying resumes after a lengthy delay and it is a disaster for Button, he fails to make the cut into the top 10 shootout and will start Sunday's race from 14th place on the grid
To make things worse for Button, his team-mate and closest title rival Barrichello puts his Brawn on pole - much to the delight of his exuberant and ecstatic home fans at Interlagos
Barrichello's pole, coupled with Button's low qualifying position, means the title battle could go all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi - it will do if Barrichello gains five points on his title rival in Brazil
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