Max Verstappen set the best time in the third free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman clocked 1.30,671 in his Red Bull on the Suzuka circuit and he was almost 3 tenths of a second faster than Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who set the second time in his Ferrari. Charles Leclerc set the third fastest time in his Ferrari. The Monegask conceded more than 3 tenths to Verstappen.
Spaniard Fernando Alonso set the fourth fastest time in his Alpine; he was more than 6 tenths slower than Verstappen. The fifth fastest time was for Sergio Perez. Verstappen’s Mexican teammate at Red Bull took more than 8 tenths longer over a lap.
The third practice gave the drivers the first opportunity to fully drive on a dry track, because on Friday the asphalt was too wet in both practices to really go fast. The practice session was important for Verstappen to find the right set-up for his car for the qualifying race later Saturday. He is eager to start from pole position in the eighteenth race of the season, in which he can secure his second world title.
soft strap
The 25-year-old Limburger grabs the title in the fifth race before the end of the season if he wins the race and drives the fastest lap. In that case, it does not matter in which position Leclerc and Pérez finish, the only two drivers who can prevent a premature championship party for Verstappen in Suzuka. In other results, the title for the Dutchman is also possible, but he must then score 8 points more than Leclerc and 6 more than Pérez.
The third practice went without significant incidents, although the track was busy, because all drivers wanted to do a lot of laps. Verstappen opted for the soft tire early on and set a time with which he was at the top for a long time. It wasn’t until the end of the session, when everyone simulated a qualifying lap on the soft tires, that Sainz went under Verstappen’s time. The World Cup leader then went the extra mile and drove the fastest lap of all.
The qualifying race in Japan starts at 8:00 AM Dutch time.