Max Verstappen sent offer to quit Red Bull and join F1 rival keen to be his team-mate
With just a few days to rest and recuperate since the Singapore Grand Prix, the star-studded F1 grid is back in action at Suzuka. It’s an early one for those tuning in from the UK, with Max Verstappen once again looking imperious after an off-colour performance at the Marina Bay Street Circuit last weekend.
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Fans were left to ponder whether Red Bull’s utter dominance really had come to an end after Carlos Sainz’s stunning victory in Singapore. Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez both finished outside the top four, despite having won every Grand Prix between them up to that point in the season.
So far, however, normal service has resumed in Suzuka, with Verstappen proving the class of the field in practice. While Mercedes and Ferrari will hope to make a splash high up the field, the times posted by McLaren suggest that they could in fact be Red Bull’s nearest challengers on Saturday.
With all this to delve into and more, follow Express Sport‘s live Japanese Grand Prix qualifying updates below…
Don’t miss… Lewis Hamilton takes sly dig at Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen taken by surprise
Red Bull eye Constructors’ glory
Red Bull boss Christian Horner can clinch the Constructors’ Championship this weekend if Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez come up with the goods.
With six races remaining on the F1 calendar, Red Bull can put themselves mathematically out of reach in Suzuka if they score more points than Mercedes and make sure Ferrari don’t outsocre them by 24 points.
There will be no individual title for Verstappen just yet, however, as he will have to wait until Qatar in two weeks’ time for his first shot at 2023 glory.
Mercedes with frantic repair job
George Russell did not complete a qualifying simulation lap in FP3 due to right rear wheel shield damage on his Mercedes.
The Silver Arrows claimed that the repair is a ‘lengthy one’, although they are expected to get the job done in time for qualifying.
Not ideal preparation for Russell, who is gunning for a spot on the front row for the second race running.
Verstappen makes big statement
Max Verstappen delivered a statement of intent in Japan by posting the fastest lap-time in all three practice sessions leading up to qualifying.
The Dutchman was more than two-tenths up on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, his nearest challengers, in FP3, with Sergio Perez way back.
The top five from the final practice session is as follows…
1. Max Verstappen (1:30.267)
2. Lando Norris (+0.240)
3. Oscar Piastri (+0.288)
4. Sergio Perez (+0.737)
5. Charles Leclerc (+0.755)
Welcome!
Good morning early risers, and welcome to Express Sport‘s play-by-play coverage of qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Stay tuned right here for the next two hours or so, as we’ve got you covered.
Updates to follow…
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