Tsunoda Sets Pace in Japanese Grand Prix Practice – Verstappen Close, Norris Leads

Suzuka – Yuki Tsunoda delivered a stellar debut for Red Bull Racing, claiming just 0.107 seconds behind Max Verstappen in the opening practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. The home hero quickly established himself as a competitive force, signaling a promising start to his career with the Austrian team. Lando Norris spearheaded the session for McLaren, securing the top spot with a blistering lap.

Leading Positions

• Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1m28.549s
• George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.163s
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.416s
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.502s
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.516s
• Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +0.623s

Key Takeaways from FP1

Tsunoda’s session was marked by a quick learning curve and a marked confidence, as highlighted by Edd Straw. He initially focused on improving performance in the slower corners, battling wheelspin before transitioning to a more aggressive approach in the faster sections. His clear communication and cooperation with the team regarding differential and brake-balance settings were also noted. Despite a late-session error – a deep turn at the chicane – Tsunoda expressed “interesting” feelings with the car.

“Tsunoda made an assured start to his Red Bull Racing career, setting a best time just 0.107s off team-mate Verstappen,” Edd Straw reported. “He was on target to improve on that on the final lap of his second run only to go deep at the chicane and ruin his lap.”

Edd Straw, The Race

Scott Mitchell-Malm’s observations from trackside indicated Tsunoda was deliberately building confidence as qualifying runs progressed, demonstrating a level of control comparable to Verstappen. The fact that he dove deeper into the chicane was not considered a mistake, but rather a calculated adjustment to tire management and car balance.

“Watching from the start of the high-speed Esses, looking back from the outside if Turn 4, you could see Tsunoda lean on the car more as the qualifying runs progressed and he seemed to lack little compared to Verstappen,” Scott Mitchell-Malm noted.

Scott Mitchell-Malm, The Race

Beyond the Top Two

Despite the focus on the Red Bull rivalry, the field saw significant activity. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri struggled to 15th, battling graining on the front tires, prompting communication from the team regarding the issue. Several drivers experienced minor incidents, including Alex Albon and Kimi Antonelli hitting the gravel at the hairpin. Notably, Alpine reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa demonstrated impressive form, finishing 12th and exceeding expectations.

The session saw Lando Norris set the benchmark at 1m28.549s, 0.163 seconds ahead of George Russell. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the top four. Carlos Sainz’s day was marked by a slight misjudgment of the track layout, leading him to believe he was approaching the finish line instead of the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who won FP1? Lando Norris secured the fastest lap.
• How close was Verstappen? Max Verstappen finished just 0.516 seconds behind the leader.
• What challenges did drivers face? Tire graining, gravel incidents, and radio communication issues were reported.

Did You Know?

Ryo Hirakawa, driving for Alpine, delivered a remarkable performance in FP1, placing 12th and proving a valuable asset to the team’s development efforts.

As the field prepares for Qualifying, the intensity is building. Tsunoda’s strong start promises to be a key factor throughout the weekend, challenging the established order and captivating Japanese fans.

Call to Action: Share your thoughts on Tsunoda’s performance and your predictions for qualifying in the comments below!