Formula 1 News: Verstappen leads Red Bull 1-2 in Practice 1

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen posted the fastest lap during Friday’s first practice session for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, with a lap of 1m30.056s.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The World Champion (pictured above) led the way from teammate Sergio Perez, and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr.

Sainz was followed by Mercedes pair George Russell and Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc – some three-tenths splitting the two Ferrari drivers.

Meanwhile, American Logan Sargeant wadded up his Williams and brought out the red flags, the Suzuka Circuit proving to be too much for him. Williams confirmed the chassis is undamaged, but there is extensive damage to the gearbox and suspension.

The Williams mechanics get Sargeant’s wadded up car back into the garage.

Fernando Alonso was the lead Aston Martin driver in seventh, as home favorite Yuki Tsunoda – pushing to build on some impressive displays so far this season – put his RB between the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Norris in the final top 10 positions.

Verstappen won this race the past two years and started off this year go with a strong showing in his slightly upgraded Red Bull Honda RB20.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talk in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 05, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 Japanese GP Practice 1 Results

POS	NO	DRIVER	CAR	TIME	GAP	LAPS
1	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda	1:30.056	+0.000s	18
2	11	Sergio Perez	Red Bull Racing Honda	1:30.237	+0.181s	18
3	55	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:30.269	+0.213s	20
4	63	George Russell	Mercedes	1:30.530	+0.474s	18
5	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:30.543	+0.487s	23
6	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:30.558	+0.502s	18
7	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:30.599	+0.543s	20
8	81	Oscar Piastri	Mclaren Mercedes	1:31.165	+1.109s	23
9	22	Yuki Tsunoda	Rb Honda	1:31.230	+1.174s	20
10	4	Lando Norris	Mclaren Mercedes	1:31.240	+1.184s	22
11	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine Renault	1:31.935	+1.879s	19
12	23	Alexander Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:31.943	+1.887s	18
13	27	Nico Hulkenberg	Haas Ferrari	1:31.958	+1.902s	19
14	77	Valtteri Bottas	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:32.054	+1.998s	17
15	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:32.055	+1.999s	17
16	40	Ayumu Iwasa	Rb Honda	1:32.103	+2.047s	22
17	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:32.277	+2.221s	23
18	24	Zhou Guanyu	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:32.638	+2.582s	18
19	20	Kevin Magnussen	Haas Ferrari	1:32.803	+2.747s	21
20	2	Logan Sargeant	Williams Mercedes	1:33.204	+3.148s	10