F1, Verstappen makes no mistake in Suzuka qualifying. Ferrari disappoints

The Japanese premise was fulfilled. The Red Bull was unrivaled in qualifying after having already defined its intentions in the last available practice session before the hunt for the chronometric tally, with Max Verstappen literally dominating the entire session followed closely, just 66 thousandths, by brand mate Sergio Perez. Surprisingly third was Lando Norris in a McLaren at just under three tenths and a potential disruptor of the RB20s in the race.

The first Ferrari was instead, that of Carlos Sainz, fourth at almost half a second. In Free Practice 3, the Rossa showed several weaknesses on the dry performance, instead putting itself more on display on the race pace, a feeling that makes one look forward to Sunday with optimism. Fernando Alonso's performance in the Aston Martin, always at ease among Suzuka's fast corners, was excellent, then in sixth place the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, leader in the wet FP2.

Lewis Hamilton placed his Mercedes in seventh to precede the SF24 of Charles Leclerc, unable to make the last attempt. Indeed, with only a few minutes to go, the Monegasque informed the team via radio that he had pulled out the best he could. Ninth and sub judice George Russell in W15. At the start of qualifying the Briton was the protagonist of a borderline incident in pit lane with Piastri and the stewards put him under investigation for unsafe release.

Finally, closes the group of ten the national hero Yuki Tsdunoda on RB, once again more fit than the more experienced Daniel Ricciardo only 11th. Of note is the elimination already at Q3 of Lance Stroll on Aston Martin and Pierre Gasly on Alpine.

Automatic Translation by DeepL