F1-EL1: Sainz fastest in the rain in Japan

The weather conditions did not make the task of the pilots easy. Japan this Friday morning for the first free practice session at Suzuka. We had to wait until the start of the last half hour to see Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) sign a first time on a wet track.

If rain tires were required during the first part of the session, the Williams de Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa were the first to try to switch to the intermediate tires, the Brazilian being trapped at turn 9. But it is ultimately Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) who sets the best time of the twelve drivers to have entered their name on the timesheet.

The Spaniard completed a best lap in 1'49 "434 and anticipates Red Bull by Daniil Kvyat by more than five tenths. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) hoists his W06 Hybrid n°6 into third position just ahead Sebastian Vettel (Ferrai) and the World Champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).

Daniel Ricciardo (Redbull), Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Jolyon Palmer and Pastor Maldonado (Lotus), Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez (Force India) and the Stevens pair – Red (Manor) did not set a time during the session.