EL1 – Vettel gets his bearings at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was the fastest in the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing).

Published on 06/10/2017 à 04:41

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EL1 – Vettel gets his bearings at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) set the best time in the first free practice session on the Suzuka track in Japan. He places his Ferrari at the top of the timesheet with a 1’29”166. He is two tenths ahead of his rival in the championship Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) places himself as referee in 3^e position with a best time of 1’29”377.

The top 3 teammates follow in order with Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) ahead of his compatriot Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and the last winner, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) relegated to 1”5 behind the German’s best time. Esteban Ocon (Force India) ranks best of the rest in 7^e instead.

Nico Hulkenberg is the best driver Renault the 8^e row in front Romain Grosjean (Haas F1) and Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren), the Belgian who completes the top 10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas F1) remains 11^e just in front of Fernando Alonso (McLaren). Sergio Pérez (Force India), in more difficulty than his teammate, is 13^e and gets ahead Lance stroll (Williams), Jolyon Palmer (Renault) as well as Felipe Massa (Williams).

The session was interrupted for around ten minutes in the last half hour, following the violent accident of Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) at turn 11 exiting Spoon. The Spaniard cannot do better than a 17^e place, in front of his teammate Pierre Gasly. The Saubers of Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson bring up the rear.