Fernando Alonso topped a soaking-wet first practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix that ended with a heavy Mick Schumacher crash at the esses.
Suzuka had been drenched by showers from early in the morning, and less than half the field completed more than 10 laps in the sopping 60-minute session.
Kevin Magnussen was the first out after five minutes along with local favorite Yuki Tsunoda, but drivers were slow to brave the full-wet conditions. Only as the rain began to ease did a gaggle of cars join the circuit, in turn helping to disperse the worst of the standing water.
Continue reading on RACERIt used to be that the Japanese Grand Prix was a Mercedes stronghold. Between 2014 and 2019, the last race at Suzuka before the pandemic, the German marque won six grands prix, including four alone for Lewis Hamilton.
Max Verstappen will attempt to claim his second drivers championship on Honda’s home turf at the returning Japanese Grand Prix, but he’ll need to bounce back from an uncharacteristically scrappy Singapore Grand Prix to seal the deal.
Formula One is on high alert for a “violent” tropical cyclone hurtling towards Suzuka Circuit in time to disrupt this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.