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

JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - FREE PRACTICE #1

    It was Mercedes that topped the first practice session at the beautiful circuit in Suzuka, Japan. Nico Rosberg took the top spot with a 1:32.431 and Lewis Hamilton was close behind in 2nd with a 1:32.646. Vettel, Raikkonen and Ricciardo completed the top 5 in the session.

    A freshly-signed Sergio Perez ran the "Halo" head protection concept in a good part of the session and finished in 8th. Hulkenberg finished just ahead of him in 7th. After many rumours about Perez and his future, it is now Hulkenberg who is rumoured to possibly leave Force India at the end of 2016. However, many members of the team have been insisting that Hulkenberg will be retained as well for the 2017 season.

    Fernando Alonso has a bit of a spin at the Spoon Curve and lost a few bits and pieces off of the car, but was able to get back on track and return the McLaren back to the pits. Alonso wasn't the only driver to run into trouble either. Romain Grosjean suffered a brake problem late in the session and ran off of the track. He too went back on track and was able to get the car back.

    Daniil Kvyat, who is rumoured to have signed an extension to stay with Toro Rosso for another two years, reported an "Octopus" in his vision. The Octopus turned out to be tyre marble hooked on the Toro Rosso, resembling little octopus legs. 

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:32.431 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:32.646 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Sebastian Vettel - 1:33.525 / Ferrari-Ferrari

4. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:33.817 / Ferrari-Ferrari

5. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:34.112 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER

6. Max Verstappen - 1:34.379 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER

7. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:34.530 / Force India-Mercedes

8. Sergio Perez - 1:34.767 / Force India-Mercedes

9. Fernando Alonso - 1:35.003 / McLaren-Honda

10. Valtteri Bottas - 1:35.381 / Williams-Mercedes

11. Daniil Kvyat - 1:35.446 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari

12. Carlos Sainz - 1:35.672 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari

13. Jenson Button - 1:35.677 / McLaren-Honda

14. Romain Grosjean - 1:35.688 / Haas-Ferrari

15. Felipe Nasr - 1:35.967 / Sauber-Ferrari

16. Felipe Massa - 1:36.169 / Williams-Mercedes

17. Esteban Gutierrez - 1:36.219 / Haas-Ferrari

18. Marcus Ericsson - 1:36.294 / Sauber-Ferrari

19. Kevin Magnussen - 1:36.822 / Renault-Renault

20. Esteban Ocon - 1:37.797 / Manor-Mercedes

21. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:37.966 / Manor-Mercedes

22. Jolyon Palmer - 1:37.992 / Renault-Renault 

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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