Max Verstappen tops first free practice at Suzuka

The opening day of the Japanese Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen shine as he set the fastest time during Friday practice, despite challenging weather conditions rendering the second session virtually ineffective.

Intermittent light rain at the Suzuka Circuit left the track in a precarious state, too wet for dry-weather tires yet not wet enough for full wet tires. Consequently, only three drivers managed to clock lap times.

Verstappen, demonstrating his prowess, topped the first session, leading his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri emerged as the surprise leader in the second session, closely followed by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, as they navigated the track on slick tires amidst drying conditions.

However, the day wasn’t without its challenges, particularly for Williams, who endured another setback in their difficult start to the 2024 season. Logan Sargeant suffered a heavy crash in the first session, exacerbating the team’s woes following teammate Alex Albon’s previous accident in Australia. Despite the extensive damage to Sargeant’s car, the chassis remained intact, offering a glimmer of relief for the team.

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Team principal James Vowles expressed frustration over the incident, attributing the crash to Sargeant’s loss of track position awareness. Despite their efforts, Williams couldn’t repair the car in time for the second practice session.

In terms of performance, Verstappen led the pack in the first session, closely followed by Perez and Sainz. Mercedes’ George Russell and Hamilton secured fourth and fifth positions, while McLaren’s Piastri and Lando Norris finished eighth and tenth, respectively.

Notably, Formula 2 driver Ayumu Iwasa impressed in his run-out for Red Bull at his home event, showcasing promising potential as part of his driver development program.