F1: six things you need to know about this weekend's Japanese GP

After the sweltering heat of Singapore last weekend, F1 makes the journey north east to the drenched asphalt of Suzuka. The first two practice sessions have already been plagued with huge amounts of rain, although things are expected to dry up come qualifying and the race itself.

The dour conditions seem to match the sombre atmosphere surrounding the grand prix, as the sport reflects on the tragic collision which left Marussia driver Jules Bianchi with severe head injuries at the end of this race twelve months ago.

The young Frenchman succumbed to his injuries earlier in July this year, and Bianchi's father Philippe has spoken at length this week about the ordeal his family has been through since.

"I can't see pictures of the crash of Jules,” he said. “It's not possible for me to say something about the crash because it's too difficult for me to look at the video."

The Marussia team – now racing as Manor – have said they will mark the anniversary in a “very private way”, although team boss John Booth has said they will also celebrate “[Bianchi's] incredible achievements in our race cars and the enjoyable times we shared along the way.”

The 2009 world champion said earlier in the week that he’d made a decision about his future in F1, but in the same breath he also admitted that he didn’t “know what’s happening yet,” as McLaren have the option of retaining him for 2016.

Both parties are keeping their cards close to their chests, with Button in particular keen to proceed as “respectfully” as possible: "We're in good talks, the team and myself,” he said. “There are so many possibilities of what could happen next year, so many. That's it."

Asked about Jenson’s future, Sebastian Vettel said the Briton “deserves to be a champion” again, admitting: “I think we all like him for many reasons so it would be a big loss.”

Button – sat right next to the Ferrari driver - responded: “Thank you mate. I'll start crying in a minute, it's so emotional...”

Someone fetch the tissues, stat.

Financial problems are continuing to scupper Lotus, with the entire team forced to rely on others for catering after failing to set up their hospitality suit at Suzuka.

Romain Grosjean, who was forced to do interviews under an umbrella instead, has at least managed to look on the bright side: "It's quite fun: it's like camping. The atmosphere is good, we've found somewhere with a coffee machine, Pirelli has offered us some hospitality...

“It's not ideal start of the weekend but when the car is on track that's what we focus on."

Lotus equipment was the last to arrive in Japan after an unpaid shipping contract delayed its departure from Singapore, and the team was still waiting for engines and other important bits of kit by the time everyone else had unpacked. Oh dear.

In other news, Romain Grosjean is almost certain to leave Lotus for the new Haas F1 team next season, with Ferrari test driver Esteban Gutierrez the favourite to partner the Frenchman.

In every sense of the word.

Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat have been sent into the ring with some sumo wrestlers, although they’re unlikely to be switching day jobs any time soon.

Unsurprisingly neither driver was able to inflict much damage upon their respective opponents, however the sumos were sporting enough to leave the Red Bull pair in one piece with the grand prix looming.

Meanwhile Christian Horner has reiterated that the team remains in a tenuous position, with no engine deal yet in place for 2016 after Renault announced they would no longer supply customer teams.

"It's my job to try and find a solution,” said the beleaguered boss. "We have a commitment to F1, to our workforce, a talented team and I'm doing my best to make sure we find a competitive engine to power the team next year.”

At sister team Toro Rosso, Carlos Sainz has been doing his best to clear up the controversy of Max Verstappen disobeying orders last week in Singapore.

The 17-year-old refused to let his teammate past to attack Force India’s Sergio Perez, although the team eventually backed Verstappen after talking things through after the race.

"My approach will not change," says Sainz. “I know more what Max is about. He likes to play a bit more of maybe a 'bad boy' role and I kind of knew this, but now he has demonstrated it.”

However, Sainz was also keen to downplay the suggestion that things have turned sour between the rookie pairing.

"Everything's OK, it has all been discussed and clarified. I had no problem with anyone, I think it was more the team and Max who had to clarify things between them."

After Mercedes’ perplexing loss of performance in Singapore – in which they lost two seconds per lap on the previous race – Pirelli have been forced to deny that it was the result of underhand tactics.

Sections of the media have speculated that the Mercs were given worse tyres in order to level the playing field, although there seems no evidence to support the theory.

“Deciding which tyres are allocated to which teams, or when they are used, is a job taken care of entirely by the FIA once the tyres have left the factory,” said Pirelli’s Paul Hembery.

“It is just another way that impartiality can be ensured among all the teams, which has always been a huge priority for us as exclusive tyre supplier.”

Elsewhere, reports suggest that the final touches are being made to plans which will allow teams to choose one of the two compounds they are required to run during each grand prix.

The rule change is designed force teams to choose how aggressive to be with their strategy from race to race, although it’s not clear how big an effect it will have in reality.

Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat topped a rain-hit second practice session early on Friday, although Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton appeared to have returned to the top of the running order after lagging behind Ferrari last week.

But despite the apparently improved performance, reigning champion Hamilton wasn’t convinced that the Silver Arrows had learned a great deal from the shakedown.

“Have you heard of the phrase 'diddly squat'?” asked Lewis. “That's exactly what it is today. Every time you get in the car you learn something but today's not been particularly fun and there's not been much to learn.

“The balance is going to be so much different so it's irrelevant what we do today because they say it's going to be dry. It's a shame for the fans as a lot of people turned up today.”

At least the spectators were able to test their spectacular hats.