During the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez showcased their skills, leading the field in various sessions. Verstappen topped the third practice (FP3) with Perez following closely. The qualifying rounds were intense, with Verstappen securing pole position with a time of 1:28.197 and Perez finishing second with a time of 1:28.263, illustrating Red Bull Racing's dominance. The race saw strategic pit stops and tire changes, with drivers battling for positions. Verstappen maintained the lead, managing to stay ahead of Perez and the rest of the pack, including Lando Norris (1:28.489), Charles Leclerc (1:28.786), and others, highlighting the tactical depth of Formula 1 racing at Suzuka Circuit.
LAP 43/53 Ten laps to go - here's the order ๐ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/3yBhvAbuCV
LAP 40/53 Another trip to the pits for Hamilton, this time for a new set of Mediums ๐ก What progress can he make with that tyre advantage? #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/HypBCLIHw5
LAP 36/53 'Sainz' that the tyres are going off on the Ferrari ๐ He pits a lap later, promoting Verstappen back to the lead. #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/Hw8puWFZnC
Lap 37: SAI pits. It is now Max P1, Checo P2 ๐ #F1 || #JapaneseGP ๐ฏ๐ต https://t.co/Ss674e10Gy
Lap 37/53 Two stops in quick succession for the team, with Fernando taking on a set of Hard tyres, Lance a set of Softs. #JapaneseGP https://t.co/nrLm2ZriuI
LAP 35/53 Verstappen pits, handing the lead to Sainz ๐ถ๏ธ Just behind, Perez on fresher tyres passes Norris at the McLaren's new favourite overtaking spot ๐ธ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/ZtRH74ZtVG
LAP 27/53 It's all happening here in Suzuka! ๐ฟ Leclerc goes wide, then pits with and jumps ahead of Norris... Then Russell gets between them as they exit the pits! #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/GZ7qSJXwxZ
Lando pits for a second time. Hard tyres on again. ๐ #JapaneseGP ๐ฏ๐ต [Lap 28/53] https://t.co/HftWqyB9DJ
LAP 25/53 Verstappen leads, Leclerc is yet to pit again and Perez's medium tyres have gotten him back ahead of Norris for now ๐ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/KMyO2QL8YF
LAP 24/53 Hamilton pits a lap after Russell and heads back out on a new set of Hard tyres. #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/dvl3GLgA3Q
LAP 21/53 Verstappen re-takes the lead from Leclerc! ๐ The Ferrari is trying to make it to a one-stopper, and the Red Bull sweeps by. #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/tDsP23WiuQ
Lando Norris passes Lewis Hamilton around the outside of Turn 1 and 2 ๐ฑ Up front, Charles Leclerc now leads with Max Verstappen pitting. #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/McxcDoGGeA
LAP 16/53 Perez and Sainz pit - and re-join behind Lando Norris! That's a net P2 now for the man in Papaya ๐งก #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/On2BaZHnTb
LAP 12/53 Norris is the first to blink among the front runners and pits for the Hard tyres ๐ His team-mate Piastri follows him in a lap later. #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/PRENgrRti4
Sergio Perez is keeping Max Verstappen in his sights as we head onto Lap 5 ๐ Close behind is the McLaren and Ferrari duo of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz ๐ธ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/rvewHusfsR
LAP 4/53 Verstappen keeps Perez at arms length on the restart, followed by Norris, Sainz, Alonso and Piastri. Hamilton's dropped behind Leclerc but has fresh Hard tyres on - so it's the long game for the Mercedes ๐ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/JAN65u3bzn
LAP 4/53 Verstappen keeps Perez at arm's length on the restart, followed by Norris, Sainz, Alonso and Piastri. Hamilton's dropped behind Leclerc but has fresh Hard tyres on - so it's the long game for the Mercedes ๐ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/eU6YoKqqh1
TOP 10 in Qualifying ๐ P1 - Verstappen - 1:28.197 P2 - Perez - 1:28.263 P3 - Norris - 1:28.489 P4 - Sainz - 1:28.682 P5 - Alonso - 1:28.686 P6 - Piastri - 1:28.760 P7 - Hamilton - 1:28.766 P8 - Leclerc - 1:28.786 P9 - Russell - 1:29.008 P10 - Tsunoda - 129.413 https://t.co/hvFtltqFRB
#JapaneseGP Qualifying Results 1. Max Verstappen 2. Sergio Perez 3. Lando Norris 4. Carlos Sainz 5. Fernando Alonso 6. Oscar Piastri 7. Lewis Hamilton 8. Charles Leclerc 9. George Russell 10. Yuki Tsunoda #F1
Q2 CLASSIFICATION ๐ Verstappen beats Checo to top spot in the second part of qualifying by a hundredth of a second โฑ๏ธ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/HtHm0hpyOT
Eight minutes to go in Q2 โฑ๏ธ It's Max Verstappen who leads the way, but only by a hundredth from Sergio Perez. The Ferraris are lapping close together... ๐ #F1 #JapaneseGP https://t.co/OTsTOk83lp
Eight minutes to go in Q2 โฑ๏ธ It's Max Verstappen who leads the way, but only by a hundredth from Sergio Perez. The Ferraris are lapping close together... ๐ #F1 #Japanese https://t.co/dhTFAHrIMv
Eight minutes to go in Q2 โฑ๏ธ It's Max Verstappen who leads the way, but only by a hundredth from Sergio Perez. The Ferrari's are lapping close together... ๐ #F1 #Japanese https://t.co/RiJkqD7Gfp
Max puts in a 1:28.740 on his first flying lap in Q2. He is fastest for now, only 12 thousands of a second faster than teammate Perez, with Norris in P3. Still 8 minutes to go. #JapaneseGP
Five minutes to go in #Q1 and Max is on top with a 1:28.866. Alonso is in P2 with Perez in P3. #JapaneseGP
The chequered flag is waved on #FP3 ๐ 1. Verstappen ๐ 2. Perez ๐ธ 3. Russell 4. Hamilton 5. Alonso #JapaneseGP https://t.co/WsLVCpkfWj
Late qualifying simulations are now in full swing ๐ Max Verstappen heads the field for now with five minutes to go. #F1 #JapaneseGP
Max sets a 1:29.563 on the soft compound tyres, which brings him to P1. Perez is in P2 and Russell in P3 with less than 10 minutes to go in #FP3. #JapaneseGP
Halfway through FP3! Max in P2, Checo in P5๐ฅ #JapaneseGP https://t.co/otIxu6Rkwg