scroll
Scroll downfor the latest news

Max sixth in Suzuka FP1

Published on 05 October 2018 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen set the sixth fastest time in the opening practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was quickest around the Suzuka circuit ahead of his Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas. Max Verstappen’s Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team mate Daniel Ricciardo completed the top three.

At the start of the session, dark clouds have gathered above the circuit with Race Control announcing a 40% thread of rain. First man out on track is Renault’s Carlos Sainz. After the usual completion on installation laps by most of the teams and drivers, it is Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) who puts the first time on the board.

In the opening part of free practice 1, the three front running teams all opt to use different Pirelli tyre compounds. Red Bull Racing chose soft whereas Ferrari go for the super-softs. Mercedes run an alternate program for its drivers with Lewis Hamilton lapping the track on mediums and Bottas on softs.

The latter is also quickest after 40 minutes, followed by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. The Red Bulls, despite both having small excursions off track without any damage, are third and fourth fastest.

McLaren is the first team to venture out in the second half of the session. Despite their eagerness, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris, the latter taking over Stoffel Vandoorne’s FP1 duties, are slowest. Another indication the Woking based team are struggling is Alonso’s off at the first Degner corner. The Spaniard is able to manoeuvre his car out of the gravel traps and returns to the team.

With half an hour to go, both Red Bulls head out on the super-softs. Ricciardo makes the most of the extra grip and sets the third quickest time of the session. Max struggles to extract the best out of the Pirellis. On his first lap he is hindered by traffic. His second attempt, despite improving his time, keeps him in fifth at the time and sixth by the end of the session.

Japanese GP contest: win a Red Bull Racing backpack and lifestyle cap!

Results first free practice Japan:

posdriverteamtimelaps
1Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:28.691
2Valteri BottasBOTMercedes1:29.137+0.446s
3Daniel RicciardoRICRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:29.373+0.682s
4Kimi RäikkönenRAIFerrari1:29.627+0.936s
5Sebastian VettelVETFerrari1:29.685+0.994s
6Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:29.841+1.150s
7Esteban OconOCOForce India Mercedes1:30.591+1.900s
8Romain GrosjeanGROHaas Ferrari1:30.814+2.123s
9Charles LeclercLECSauber Ferrari1:30.929+2.238s
10Marcus EricssonERISauber Ferrari1:31.073+2.382s
11Pierre GaslyGASScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:31.073+2.382s
12Carlos SainzSAIRenault1:31.100+2.409s
13Sergio PerezPERForce India Mercedes1:31.272+2.581s
14Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:31.274+2.583s
15Nico HulkenbergHULRenault1:31.418+2.727s
16Lance StrollSTRWilliams Mercedes1:31.508+2.817s
17Brendon HartleyHARScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:31.908+3.217s
18Fernando AlonsoALOMcLaren Renault1:32.034+3.343s
19Sergey SirotkinSIRWilliams Mercedes1:32.513+3.822s
20Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Renault1:32.683+3.992s