Japanese Grand Prix – Free Practice 1: Fernando Alonso fastest in the rain
Under the rain, Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time during this first free practice session in Japan. The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc complete the podium. Despite the wet track, the drivers were able to complete many laps.
After two years of absence, the Suzuka circuit is making its return to the Formula 1 calendar. Everyone is then eagerly awaiting Max Verstappen’s triumph. If the Dutchman wins this Sunday with the fastest lap in the race, he will become world champion for the second time in his career. But first, we have to go through the first free practice session. And we had to deal with the rain!
As announced in the weather forecast, the weather will be unpredictable throughout the Grand Prix weekend in Japan. And the first free practice session did not escape the rain. But that didn’t stop the spectators from coming in large numbers to see the F1.
It’s been 1090 days… but we’re back on track at Suzuka! 🙌#JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/hi8dJ738u7
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 7, 2022
Unsurprisingly, the session was very uneventful. Kevin Magnussen and Yuki Tsunoda were the most brave ones as they took to the track first, while the majority of the drivers hadn’t even settled in their cars. The risk of aquaplaning remained very significant. Although the conditions were not ideal, the drivers were still able to drive well with intermediate tires. It is worth noting that Ferrari has made improvements, including a brand new floor.
Fernando Alonso the fastest.
Ten minutes from the end, all the drivers had entered the pit. This was due to more difficult conditions on the track. Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in 1’42’248, ahead of the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz (+0.315 seconds) and Charles Leclerc (+0.386 seconds). With very few laps, Max Verstappen positioned himself in 6th place. As for the French drivers, Esteban Ocon secured 4th place and Pierre Gasly took 16th place.
While performing a departure procedure, Mick Schumacher crashed into the wall causing severe damage to his car. The mechanics will have to work very hard to repair the single-seater before the second session…
Schumacher slides off at the end of the session
He was on his way back to the pit lane but crashed into the barriers #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/y8p1xfhcay
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 7, 2022
The ranking of the first free practice session
| Driver(s) | Écuries | Times | Laps | |
| 1 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | 1.42.248 | 7 |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1.42.563 | 12 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1.42.634 | 13 |
| 4 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1.43.022 | 5 |
| 5 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1.43.258 | 12 |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1.43.362 | 4 |
| 7 | Mick Schumacher | Haas | 1.43.761 | 10 |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1.43.889 | 7 |
| 9 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | 1.43.969 | 11 |
| 10 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1.44.234 | 4 |
| 11 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | 1.44.429 | 14 |
| 12 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | 1.44.486 | 8 |
| 13 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1.44.558 | 6 |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1.44.570 | 7 |
| 15 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1.44.791 | 9 |
| 16 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | 1.44.878 | 9 |
| 17 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams | 1.45.424 | 11 |
| 18 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1.46.103 | 4 |
| 19 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | 1.46.192 | 13 |
| 20 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | 1.48.090 | 5 |
