Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43.
Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Friday 22nd September
Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand…

F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2023 - Friday Practice: As it happened

Here's what happened in F1 Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.

22 Sep 2023
07:06
Hamilton radio

"Is my floor OK?" 

Footage shows Hamilton running over the aggressive kerb at Degna 2.

07:05
Bottas takes to the top

Bottas goes clear with a 1m33.163s, 0.2s ahead of Perez.

Perez on the medium tyre; Verstappen is now out there on the soft.

07:05
Albon

Albon sets the early pace with a 1m33.482s on the test tyre, 0.2s ahead of Sainz. 

07:03
Test tyres

Teams are still trying out some prototype tyres from Pirelli as part of their development for 2024.

07:00
FP2 is underway

The second practice session is now underway at Suzuka!

06:56
Five minutes to go

Second practice kicks off in just five minutes.

Can anyone get close to Verstappen? He was 0.6s clear in FP1.

06:35
Ricciardo update

An update on his recovery...

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) AlphaTauri. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit,
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) AlphaTauri. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix,…

04:33
Top 10

Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Alonso, Piastri, Albon, Lawson and Stroll.

04:30
Chequered flag

Norris goes third in the McLaren, 0.7s down on Verstappen.

04:29
Into the final minute

Both McLarens are out on the softs.

04:24
Longer runs

Not too many improvements on track now with drivers focusing on heavier fuel.

Expect some faster laps from the Alpines - they're on the softs.

04:15
Into the final 15 minutes

Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Alonso, Stroll, Perez, Hulkenberg, Russell and Norris is the current top 10 at Suzuka.

04:07
Ferraris on the move

Sainz and Leclerc slot into second and third. 

The Spaniard is 0.6s down on Verstappen, while Leclerc is 1.0s off.

04:04
Verstappen goes clear again

He puts 1.3s between him and Perez - mega start from the weekend for the reigning world champion.

04:02
Perez goes second

Perez makes it a Red Bull 1-2, 0.6s down on Verstappen's time on the test tyre.

04:01
Thirty minutes on the clock

Hulkenberg into third on the softs - 1.0s down on Verstappen.

 

03:58
Hamilton into third

Up into the top three for Hamilton - but he's 1.3s down.

03:55
Upgrades

Here's a rundown of all of the upgrades for this weekend at Suzuka 

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Practice Day. -
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix,…

03:54
Current order

35 minutes on the clock: Verstappen, Alonso, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Norris, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton and Bottas.

03:49
Alonso into second

The Aston Martin driver slots into second behind Verstappen on the mediums - 0.7s off the pace.

03:44
Verstappen improves again

A 1m32.597s for Verstappen now to go 1.6s clear of Piastri.

03:43
Top three

A strong start from Red Bull with Verstappen 0.8s clear of Piastri at the top of the timesheets.

03:40
Current top 10

Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Alonso, Perez, Hulkenberg, Leclerc, Russell and Ocon.

03:38
Verstappen improves

Verstappen's advantage over the rest of the field is now 1.7s.