FP1: Verstappen sets benchmark in opening practice as Sargeant crashes out
F1 Grand Prix, GP Japan, Circuit Suzuka
Having retired with brakes issues from the Australian Grand Prix, reigning champion Max Verstappen bounced back in the opening session at the Japanese Grand Prix to set the benchmark ahead of his team-mate Sergio Perez and Melbourne race winner Carlos Sainz.
The opening one-hour session in Suzuka saw the majority of the drivers complete their first run on the medium tyres with only the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers and Haas racer Kevin Magnussen opting for the hard tyres.
More to follow...Results
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda Rbpt | 1:30.056 | 18 | |
| 2 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda Rbpt | 1:30.237 | +0.181s | 18 |
| 3 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:30.269 | +0.213s | 20 |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:30.530 | +0.474s | 18 |
| 5 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:30.543 | +0.487s | 23 |
| 6 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:30.558 | +0.502s | 18 |
| 7 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:30.599 | +0.543s | 20 |
| 8 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | Mclaren Mercedes | 1:31.165 | +1.109s | 23 |
| 9 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Rb Honda Rbpt | 1:31.230 | +1.174s | 20 |
| 10 | 4 | Lando Norris | Mclaren Mercedes | 1:31.240 | +1.184s | 22 |
| 11 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 1:31.935 | +1.879s | 19 |
| 12 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:31.943 | +1.887s | 18 |
| 13 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas Ferrari | 1:31.958 | +1.902s | 19 |
| 14 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:32.054 | +1.998s | 17 |
| 15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:32.055 | +1.999s | 17 |
| 16 | 40 | Ayumu Iwasa | Rb Honda Rbpt | 1:32.103 | +2.047s | 22 |
| 17 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:32.277 | +2.221s | 23 |
| 18 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:32.638 | +2.582s | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 1:32.803 | +2.747s | 21 |
| 20 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams Mercedes | 1:33.204 | +3.148s | 10 |
