P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen strides ahead in opening Japanese GP practice
During the first 60-minute session on Friday, Max Verstappen set the fastest lap time of 1:31.647s at the Suzuka circuit, ahead of Carlos Sainz who finished 0.626s behind him in second place. Lando Norris from McLaren secured the third position, while Charles Leclerc and Yuki Tsunoda took the fourth and fifth spots respectively. Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris both finished in sixth place. Some drivers tested Pirelli’s prototype tyres, with each driver having two sets to evaluate. Alex Albon and Liam Lawson finished eighth and ninth, while Lance Stroll rounded out the top 10. Sergio Perez, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton finished 11th, 13th, and 16th respectively. Russell and Hamilton did not use the Soft tyre, their best lap times were set on Mediums. The second session is scheduled for 15:00 local time.
Source: Motorsport Week
