Japan: pre-qualifying 2024

 

Another race weekend, another Williams crash in practice. This time it was Sargeant.

This event brought out red flags in first practice, and worries regarding the chassis. The times for FP1 were very much business as usual, with Verstappen leading Perez, then Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso, Piastri, Tsunoda and Norris.

FP2 was rain-afflicted, as the rest of the weekend may be. Most of the running was intermediate with dry tyres going on only towards the very end. Only 13 drivers posted a time, with Piastri quickest, half a second ahead of Hamilton and four seconds ahead of Leclerc.

 

Given lack of running and potential for rain, I’m not betting on qualifying.

Qualifying starts at 7am UK time, with the race beginning at 6am.

 

Morris Dancer

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