Max Verstappen topped the standings for the first practice hour of the weekend around the Suzuka circuit with a time of 1:30.056
Red Bull led the way with both of their drivers ending the session in first and second, with less than two tenths separating Verstappen and Sergio Perez,
Carlos Sainz followed closely, as he stands in third, only 32 thousands behind Perez. The two Mercedes sat fourth and fifth, with George Russell ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc finished sixth, with Fernando Alonso in seventh fastest. Oscar Piastri ended the session in eight. Yuki Tsunoda, in home soil, sits in ninth.
McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded up the top ten.
[motorsport_result id=’159452′]
