EL1 at Suzuka: Hamilton imperial

Lewis Hamilton set the benchmark time for the Friday morning session by completing his fastest lap in 1'28''691. The Briton, who remains on two consecutive successes in Singapore and Sochi, relegates his teammate Valtteri Bottas at 0,446s on the second Silver Arrow. Unlike their direct rivals, the pilots Mercedes did not use the Super-Soft compound, the softest compound brought this weekend by Pirelli, during this opening session. 

Author of a double podium last year at Suzuka, Red Bull signals its intentions with the third time of Daniel Ricciardo, while Kimi Räikkönen is the highest ranked Ferrari driver. The Finn of Maranello is in 4th place, 58 thousandths ahead of its neighbor in the garage Sebastian Vettel. The two SF71Hs, however, are almost a second behind the best Mercedes. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) completes a Top 6 with a very familiar look.

The honorary title of best of the others goes this Friday morning to Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman from Force India, who has always been at ease on the Suzuka circuit, is ahead of his compatriot Romain Grosjean (Haas) and the Saubers of Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson. Rarely, the Swede signs exactly the same time as Pierre Gasly and Toro Rosso equipped with the latest evolution of the Honda engine. 

The Renault are again discreet in opening, Carlos Sainz et Nico Hulkenberg having to settle for 12th and 15th positions at the end of FP1. The situation is still gloomy at Williams et McLaren. The two historic British teams remain stuck at the back of the peloton, very far from the first passing times of the Japanese weekend. 

The Suzuka circuit also confirms its status as a justice of the peace by remembering the good memories of several drivers. Alonso thus commits a rare error by putting a road in the grass when approaching the first Degner, which sends the Spaniard off the track, without seriousness or damage to his McLaren. 

Gasly also leaves to mow the shoulders. Earlier in the session, the Norman almost got hit by Hamilton at the last chicane. The two drivers were also summoned by the commissioners to discuss the incident. Gasly could receive a penalty for having “ drove unusually slowly and blocked a competitor », which contravenes Article 31.5 of the sporting regulations. 

After this morning warm-up, which took place in the dry despite threatening skies, the second free practice session will start at 14:00 p.m. local time, or 07:00 a.m. in France.

Silver Arrows leading the way, with the Red Bulls and Ferraris behind

Your full classification from opening practice at Suzuka #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/HHWdzr3TtE

— Formula 1 (@F1) 5th October, 2018