Massa made an error which gifted second to Kubica and, after the rain abated at a convenient juncture, Hamilton was able to pit for dry tires and win an incident-packed, safety-car interrupted race.

CNN: How the F1 title was won: Part one

With temperatures lower than in the first session and light rain falling, there was little action for the opening part of the second 90-minute session as the pit crews switched their attention to the weather and weighed up swapping dry-weather slick tyres for intermediates.

BBC: Lewis Hamilton fastest in Friday Australian GP practice

The gravel-pit is very large and wide, with grass growing round the edges at the top, and dry stringy wildflowers, purple and yellow.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Five Children and It'