After the drop in performance in Singapore, where he was fifth, Max has regained control
The leader finished ahead of Sainz and Norris in the first free session of the Japanese GP, with Alonso sixth
Max Verstappen has once again dominated Free Practice 1 of the Japanese GP with authority after a week ago in Singapore he suffered his first setback of the season and finished off the podium, in fifth place. Today the World Championship leader has shown that he can return to the path of victory this weekend on a circuit, Suzuka, very favorable to the speed of Red Bull.
Carlos Sainz who got his first victory of the year in Marina Bay, started second and Lando Norris third. Fernando Alonso It has placed sixth with the Aston Martin.
For these Free Practice 1 in Japan, Pirelli has offered the teams a set of experimental C2 tires for 2024. Even so, the drivers have not done too many laps with these tires.
Verstappen, who a year ago in Japan won his second world crown, He had pace with both this compound and the hard one and in the end he was the fastest when it was time to ride the soft one, improving to 1’31″647.
Japanese GP. Free 1:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1’31″647
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) at 00″626
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) at 0″745
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) at 0″927
5. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) at 00″950
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) at 1″003
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) at 1″066
8. Alexander Albon (Williams) at 1″344
9. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri) at 01″358
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) at 1.393
11. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at 1″396
12. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) at 1″482
13. George Russell (Mercedes) at 1″663
14. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) at 1″801
15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) at 1″869
16. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) at 2″052
17. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) at 2″213
18. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) at 2″328
19. Logan Sargeant (Williams) at 2″565
20. Gyanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) at 3″184