Japanese GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Results

Free Practice #1 - Re-Cap & Results:

----

Now that the Japanese GP weekend has gotten underway without any major signs of the typhoon, we can all let out a sigh of relief. We can also give a cheer for youngster, Max Verstappen, who not only is just 17, but also made his F1 debut today, driving in this session in place of JEV. (Jean-Eric Vergne) 

Verstappen had a great session, racking up laps and times. He finished the session in 12th, just a bit behind his 2015 team-mate, Daniil Kvyat. Unfortunately, Verstappen's session was ended 6 minutes early when something in his car blew. Smoke plumed from the back of the Toro Rosso, as he pulled it off to a safe zone and clambered out. This is unlucky for Vergne, as it is his car. If the Engine needs to be replaced, things could be very bad for FP2.

We also has Roberto Merhi in for Kamui Kobayashi in this session. It's unknown if Merhi might be in contention for a Caterham seat in 2015, but he sure has done well in the practice sessions he's been given this year.

British driver, Will Stevens was supposed to take over for Chilton in this Free Practice session, but due to his paperwork not arriving in time, they were unable to allow him to drive. Chilton had to step back up to the plate (Or should we say car?) for this session.

Lots of drivers were mentioning that they felt as if there was no grip in the tyres, and you for sure could see it as well. There was lots of sliding around, including Gutierrez and Hulkenberg sliding off and running through some dirt. Merhi even had a minor spin after touching what appeared to be the white line at the edge of the circuit.

At the end, it was another Mercedes AMG 1-2, with Alonso just behind in 3rd.

Here are the times from this session.

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:35.461 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:35.612 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Fernando Alonso - 1:36.037 / Ferrari-Ferrari

4. Valtteri Bottas - 1:36.576 / Williams-Mercedes

5. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:37.181 / Ferrari-Ferrari

6. Kevin Magnussen - 1:37.327 / McLaren-Mercedes

7. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:37.466 / Red Bull-Renault

8. Jenson Button - 1:37.649 / McLaren-Mercedes

9. Sebastian Vettel - 1:37.686 / Red Bull-Renault

10. Daniil Kvyat - 1:37.714 / Toro Rosso-Renault

11. Felipe Massa - 1:38.012 / Williams-Mercedes

12. Max Verstappen* - 1:38.157 / Toro Rosso-Renault

13. Sergio Perez - 1:38.324 / Force India-Mercedes

14. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:38.582 / Force India-Mercedes

15. Romain Grosjean - 1:38.851 / Lotus-Renault

16. Adrian Sutil - 1:39.046 / Sauber-Ferrari

17. Pastor Maldonado - 1:39.097 / Lotus-Renault

18. Esteban Gutierrez - 1:39.318 / Sauber-Ferrari

19. Marcus Ericsson - 1:40.031 / Caterham-Renault

20. Roberto Merhi* - 1:41.472 / Caterham-Renault

21. Jules Bianchi - 1:41.580 / Marussia-Ferrari

22. Max Chilton - 1:41.757 / Marussia-Ferrari

----

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

No copyright infringement intended.