Japanese Grand Prix – Free Practice 1: Verstappen (already) puts an end to the celebrations for the competition

Max Verstappen wasted no time and took to the track among the first at Suzuka. Perhaps in an effort to quickly make people forget about the blunder in Singapore.

Lewis Hamilton, with the gyroscopic camera, started a timed lap on Pirelli’s prototype tires, possibly the C2 tires of 2024.

No one has yet started this session with the soft tires. Max Verstappen, in 1:33.719, immediately set the fastest time with the hard tires. But all eyes were nevertheless focused on the McLarens, which the Dutchman is particularly wary of at Suzuka.

The two papaya cars turned respectively in 1:34.199 and 1:34.251, in the order Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris. But it’s already far off from Max Verstappen. Perhaps this is the first indicator that the competition can quickly let go of the idea…which is a shame.

Fernando Alonso showed that the Aston Martin had some potential and placed himself in 2nd position, just over half a second behind the Red Bull N°1’s best lap time. The performances should also be taken with caution, as the prototype C2 tires are slightly softer than this year’s tires.

The tender ones arrive

Nico Hülkenberg was the first, in the second part of the session, to hit the track on soft tires and fell short by a full second to Verstappen, who also went out on red tires (to set a 1:31.647 lap time that ends the suspense starting this Friday, for the rest of the weekend).

The Alpines, on the other hand, were too far behind: 11th (Gasly) and 18th (Ocon), which once again indicates a very challenging weekend for the French drivers. The McLarens, on their part, also remained rather quiet but were busy testing prototype tires.

From this Friday, victory seems guaranteed: Verstappen is showing everyone that they will have to settle for podium places this weekend.