Summary of Friday’s free practice in Suzuka: Mercedes leading, Red Bull and Ferrari in pursuit
Hamilton sets the fastest time in these practice sessions, while his teammate, four-tenths behind, takes second position for both sessions. The Red Bulls and Ferraris, neck and neck, occupy the next four positions.
The weather conditions are not optimal today in Suzuka, indeed it’s a cloudy sky that greets the seventeenth round of the Formula 1 season. It’s cool in the air and on the track, and the risk of rain worries teams at the start of this race. Nevertheless, at the end of the two sessions, the teams can breathe a sigh of relief, the rain has finally spared the Japanese sky.
It’s cool and cloudy…
But the awe-inspiring venue of Suzuka beckons! FP1 coming up shortly 😉#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/C922kTQwld
— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
After the Mercedes double a week ago in Russia, Hamilton and Bottas must prove to be conquering once again against an improved Ferrari. Indeed, to remain in the title race, the team is testing a new floor and a brand-new brake duct this weekend. No changes in the cockpits, except for McLaren where Lando Norris takes the wheel for the first session, driving Vandoorne’s McLaren.
Free Practice 1:
It’s Ricciardo, on soft tires, who sets the first benchmark of these free practice 1 sessions at 1’30″030.
At the end of the first half-hour of practice, it’s Bottas’s turn on soft tires to set the best time, with Hamilton on mediums and the Ferraris on supersofts following behind; the soft tires seem to be performing well this weekend at Suzuka.
In Japan, the teams will have the choice between super-soft, soft, and medium tires.
The tyres in play this weekend 👀 #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/4Sg6oZ3QWk
— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
Big scare for Hamilton in the middle of the session, forced to make an emergency brake, narrowly missing hitting Gasly’s car. Indeed, the Frenchman is slow in the braking zone as he prepares for a flying lap. The Briton rages on the radio, so there will be an investigation; let’s hope the Frenchman doesn’t get a penalty. Meanwhile, Pérez spins on the grass without serious consequences.
That. Was. CLOSE! 😱
Hamilton encounters a slow Gasly on the racing line, narrowly avoiding him
The incident will be investigated after the session#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/PzcGu5622t
— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
Alonso and Gasly once again, during the second half-hour of practice, also had their little scare, with one taking a trip into the gravel trap and the other into the grass. On the Spaniard’s side, the incident was harmless but still spectacular. Vettel, hindered by traffic, only posts the 5th fastest time of the session. Ricciardo climbs to 3rd place behind the Silver Arrows, in great form for this start of the weekend.
On the French side, Ocon and Grosjean finished in 7th and 8th positions, ahead of their teammate. Gasly finished 11th.
Despite his fright during the incident with Gasly, Hamilton set his best time on soft tires at the end of this first practice session on Japanese soil.
Silver Arrows leading the way, with the Red Bulls and Ferraris behind
Your full classification from opening practice at Suzuka 👇#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/HHWdzr3TtE
— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
Free Practice 2:
Vandoorne gets his seat back for the second practice session. Alonso and Vandoorne are the first to hit the track, while Hamilton takes his time, arriving at the paddocks during FP2 on his usual scooter.
Ferrari is leading, but quickly, Hamilton comes out of his garage and sets the fastest time of the session. Vettel and his Ferrari remain on the heels of the Briton.
45 minutes before the end of FP2, Bottas moves up to second and sets the fastest time in sector 2.
20 mins gone in FP2, and Hamilton is the early pacesetter
HAM 1:28.911s
VET +0.487s
BOT +0.682s
RAI +1.092s
RIC +1.340s#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Lo8CQWFz8G— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
Gasly only hits the track a quarter of an hour before the end of the session, following a sensor issue on his car. The weekend looks challenging for the Frenchman who is racing at home for Honda. The engine manufacturer expects a lot from this Grand Prix weekend, thanks to the latest engine upgrades.
On the side of the other French drivers, Grosjean and Ocon finish in the top 10, Gasly can do no better than 13th place. Magnussen, whose birthday it is, only records the 16th time in this session.
Traces of early wear appear on the super-soft tires of the Ferraris, worrying the Scuderia staff.
In his momentum, Hamilton improves his time at the end of this session and once again sets the fastest time of the session as well as the best sectors 1 and 3.
That looks suspiciously like a left-rear blister… 😉 #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/IKb9iewMVd
— Formula 1 (@F1) 5 octobre 2018
The weather conditions as well as the choice of tires (soft or supersoft) could be crucial for tomorrow’s qualifications. A year ago, Hamilton secured his first pole at Suzuka, with Vettel sharing the front row with him.
Hamilton and Mercedes, dominant throughout these sessions, seem well-positioned to set the fastest time in tomorrow’s qualifying. Join us tomorrow to find out the name of the pole man!
