Japanese GP: Max Verstappen fastest in Practice One in upgraded Red Bull as Logan Sargeant crashes
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Max Verstappen made the perfect start in his attempt to get back to winning ways at the Japanese GP by leading team-mate Sergio Perez and Melbourne victor Carlos Sainz in Practice One as Red Bull revealed their first big car upgrade of the season at Suzuka.
But Williams suffered a fresh and unwanted setback as Logan Sargeant’s first session back after being withdrawn from the Australian GP when the team were left with just one useable chassis lasted just 29 minutes after the American crashed at the high-speed Turn Seven.
Sargeant is running the chassis that team-mate Alex Albon crashed during first practice in Melbourne a fortnight ago and which had to be sent back to the team’s UK factory for repairs between the two flyaway races.
“Luckily he’s gone in with the nose of the car first,” said Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson.
“I’m not seeing any damage around the suspension area. If that was side impact, I dread to think what that chassis would have gone through yet again.”
The crash brought out the weekend’s first red flag just before first practice’s half-way point and, when the session did resume, Verstappen hit the front when he put on the soft tyres with a quickest lap of 1:30.056.
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Perez finished 0.181s back in the sister car, with the in-form Sainz a further tenth back in the lead Ferrari.
After a woeful Melbourne, Mercedes could take early encouragement from the running in Japan too with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton between the two Ferraris in fourth and fifth respectively.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Japanese GP schedule
Friday April 5
6.45am: Japanese GP Practice Two (session starts at 7am)*
8.15am: The F1 Show*
10am: Japanese GP Practice One replay
11.30am: Japanese GP Practice Two replay
Saturday April 6
3.15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 3.30am)*
6am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: Japanese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
9.30am: Japanese GP Qualifying replay
Sunday April 7
5am: Grand Prix Sunday Japanese GP build-up*
6am: The JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Chequered Flag: Japanese GP reaction*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
9.30am: Japanese Grand Prix highlights*
10.30am: Japanese Grand Prix replay
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s biggest ever season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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