Max eighth after Friday practice in Suzuka: 'Not an easy day'

Published on 04 April 2025 by Stefan Meens

After clocking the fifth fastest time in FP1, Max Verstappen ended the second free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix in eighth. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were quickest at Suzuka in a session halted by four red flags. Max’s Oracle Red Bull Racing team mate Yuki Tsunoda finished eighteenth.

“It wasn’t an easy day”, said Max after Friday practice. “Because of the red flags, we weren’t able to complete our program, but that’s the same for everyone, but we have tried a lot of things with the car. It’s difficult to string together a good lap. You need a lof of confidence and commitment. We don’t have that yet, so we have work to do.”

As the session gets underway, Carlos Sainz (Williams) is the first out on track soon followed by Jack Doohan. It is the Australian’s first appearance of the weekend after his Alpine was driven by Ryo Hirakawa in FP1. Sadly for Doohan, he is unable to enjoy much track time; five minutes into the session, the rookie crashes heavily in the first corner. Thankfully the Aussie is okay, but his car is heavily damaged. Subsequently, a red flag is waved to allow the marshals to retrieve the stricken Alpine and to repair the tyre barriers.

After a lengthy delay, during which the session timer continues to count down, the track is cleared with a mere half an hour left on the clock. As all teams and drivers rush out to gain valuable track time, the session is soon interrupted by a red flag again. Fernando Alonso has beached his Aston Martin in the gravel after loosing control on the entry to Degner 1.

With 19 minutes left, the pitlane opens yet again with all drivers heading out on the soft Pirelli tyres, followed by flurry of fastest laps. Max is eighth quickest after his first timed effort, before the third red flag of the session is waved. This time the session is halted due to the grass at turn seven having caught fire. After a quick extinguish by the marshals, the drivers have seven minutes left to change the order on the leader boards. Max opts for a run on the mediums and does not attempt to better his lap, meaning he ends the session in P8.

FP2 finishes under the fourth and final red flag of the afternoon, with another patch of grass having caught fire.

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Results second free practice Japan: