Max Verstappen set the fastest time during the first practice session for the Japanese GP on the Suzuka circuit. After his retirement during the Australian GP, a strong start to the race weekend in Japan. For Williams there was another setback as Logan Sargeant crashed in the repaired F1 car with which teammate Alex Albon also crashed in Australia.
Next level these fans
Sushi party, Lando?! #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/pPMIx4Yn0k
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
The power of the red car pic.com/cAcmRc3K9V
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 5, 2024
The Japanese GP, the fourth race on the F1 calendar, will take place at the Suzuka circuit this weekend. There is always a special atmosphere in Suzuka. The Japanese fans are very fanatical and do everything they can to support and encourage their heroes on the track. This is often accompanied by special creations.
FP1 GREEN LIGHT
It’s a big day for Ayumu Iwasa
The Super Formula racer is taking Daniel Ricciardo’s RB seat for this session #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/uE8rcXBPze
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
It was a special moment for the Japanese Ayumu Iwasa, the Super Formula driver was allowed to take action with Daniel Ricciardo's F1 car on the Suzuka circuit during the first practice session. This means two Japanese in the cars of the RB team, the sister team of Red Bull Racing, in which the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda is one of the regular drivers.
Its been a busy start to our FP1, 16 laps between our two completed on the Hards @Charles_Leclerc – P4@Carlossainz55 – P7#JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/KFALExgaXB
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 5, 2024
After Carlos Sainz's victory during the previous race in Australia, it remains to be seen whether Ferrari can also compete with Red Bull on the Suzuka circuit. Many fans hope that Ferrari could also challenge Red Bull this weekend because that would be promising for the rest of the season and the championship.
RED FLAG
Logan Sargeant into the barriers
“I’m sorry, man” the Williams driver says to his team#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/V5OSj8SlDi
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
About halfway through the session we suddenly received a red flag after Logan Sargeant crashed into the Williams F1 car. At Williams they must have cursed a lot because crashes had to be avoided absolutely. During the previous race weekend, Alex Albon crashed and his car was so badly damaged that Sargeant had to hand over his F1 car to Albon and he could not race himself. Williams also does not have a spare chassis here in Japan.
Sargeant is okay and out of the car #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.com/iwTDtk64ij
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
In Japan, Williams' Sargeant had to drive the repaired chassis of the car with which teammate Alex Albon crashed in Australia. It remains to be seen whether something was wrong with that and was the cause of his crash. Just before the crash, Sargeant had complained about the balance at the rear of the car.
GREEN LIGHT
FP1 resumes… and the drivers have just under 20 mins track time remaining#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.com/Bg32Uj9S6n
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
With just under twenty minutes on the clock the practice session resumed and that caused a lot of nervousness. It was a matter of queuing at the end of the pit lane and once on the circuit, drivers tried to overtake each other to have a 'free track' and to make the best possible use of the remaining minutes.
Friday Sunday #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.com/zrYJj6iS2v
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
In the end it was Max Verstappen who was fastest, ahead of teammate Sergio Perez. Red Bull clearly started the race weekend a lot better in Japan than in Australia, where it struggled with problems until qualifying. However, Carlos Sainz and Ferrari are not far away.