P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen led a Red Bull Racing 1-2 during the opening practice session for Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix at
Japan’s event has moved up the calendar, from its traditional autumn slot, to a spring berth, with conditions at Suzuka cool and overcast on Friday. Verstappen posted a time of 1:30.056s to finish 0.181s clear of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with all of the front-runners clocking their best efforts on Pirelli’s Soft tyres. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was the closest non-Red Bull driver in third spot, 0.213s behind Verstappen, with Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton fourth and fifth respectively, four-tenths down on the reigning World Champion. Sainz’s Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc was sixth. The biggest incident during the one-hour session befell Williams driver Sargeant. Sargeant ran wide through the fast right-hander at Dunlop and hit the barriers, causing damage to the left-rear and front end of the Williams FW46. Sargeant was able to extricate himself from the car but Williams faces a rush to ready the car for the second practice session.
