FP1: Verstappen returns to form as he tops opening session
F1 Grand Prix, GP Japan, Circuit Suzuka
Following a difficult weekend in Singapore, reigning world champion Max Verstappen returned to form as he ended up fastest over half a second clear of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in the opening practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix.
More to come...Results
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda Rbpt | 1:31.647 | 25 | |
| 2 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:32.273 | +0.626s | 24 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | Mclaren Mercedes | 1:32.392 | +0.745s | 24 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:32.574 | +0.927s | 25 |
| 5 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Alphatauri Honda Rbpt | 1:32.597 | +0.950s | 21 |
| 6 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:32.650 | +1.003s | 23 |
| 7 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | Mclaren Mercedes | 1:32.713 | +1.066s | 26 |
| 8 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:32.991 | +1.344s | 24 |
| 9 | 40 | Liam Lawson | Alphatauri Honda Rbpt | 1:33.005 | +1.358s | 28 |
| 10 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:33.040 | +1.393s | 17 |
| 11 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda Rbpt | 1:33.043 | +1.396s | 25 |
| 12 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:33.129 | +1.482s | 23 |
| 13 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:33.310 | +1.663s | 24 |
| 14 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas Ferrari | 1:33.448 | +1.801s | 24 |
| 15 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 1:33.516 | +1.869s | 22 |
| 16 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:33.699 | +2.052s | 22 |
| 17 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 1:33.860 | +2.213s | 24 |
| 18 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 1:33.975 | +2.328s | 23 |
| 19 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams Mercedes | 1:34.212 | +2.565s | 27 |
| 20 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | 1:34.831 | +3.184s | 23 |
