Max opens race weekend in Japan in P1

Published on 22 September 2023 by Heidi De Love

Max Verstappen set the fastest time during the first free practice. The reigning world champion left no doubt as to who the man is to beat this weekend. On the 5.807m long Suzuka circuit, Carlos Sainz was second fastest in his Ferrari ahead of the McLaren of Lando Norris on P3. The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc and the Alpha Tauri of Yuki Tsunoda completed the top five. Max’ teammate at Oracle Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, set the eleventh time.

Just before the start of the first free practice it’s dry, 27 degrees and a track temperature of 37 degrees. Pirelli took the hardest compounds to Suzuka, a circuit that is generally demanding on the rear tyres. The drivers also got a chance to test a new version of the C2-tyre, intended for 2023.

When the lights turn green Max is the first one out on track. The two-time world champion, driving with a special helmet this weekend inspired by the Japanese flag, went out on track on a set of hard tyres under his RB19. He immediately sets down the fastest time and leaves the competition far behind.

After five laps Max comes into the pits and a short while later is back on track after a few changes to setup and switching to the prototype tyres. He immediately improves his time. He is more than a second ahead of teammate Sergio Perez on P2.

20 minutes later Fernando Alonso has squeezed himself between the two Red Bulls. The Spaniard did this on medium tyres, while Max and Perez set their fastest times on the prototype tyres. Both Red Bull drivers have also new motor parts: the combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and exhaust have been replaced.

After 30 minutes it’s calm on track after which many drivers come out on a set of soft tyres. Perez sharpens his time and is six tenths behind Max on P2. A little later Max flexes his muscles and improves his time greatly. His lead on Perez has grown to 1,4 seconds.

This 1,4 second gives space to the competition to dive into this gap and that is what both Ferraris do. They too are out on soft tyres. Sainz and Leclerc are respectively P2 and P3. In the meantime, Liam Lawson reports light rain on his visor.

With less than 15 minutes on the clock it’s Tsunoda rounding out the top four. The Japanese, on his home track, is only two hundredths of second slower than Leclerc. The other teams have now moved focus on the long runs and it has started raining a bit. The circuit isn’t very wet considering the fast times of both McLarens at the end. This concludes the first free practice in Japan.

Contest GP Japan: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results first free practice Japan: