Verstappen satisfied despite winning FP2: 'Good start for us'

Max Verstappen - despite not taking part in the second free practice session due to the wet track - has left the first day in Japan feeling good. The Dutchman clocked the fastest time in FP1 and sees starting points for Saturday and Sunday.

"It was a good start for us. The balance was not wrong and that is always a good way to start. It seems everyone is a bit closer together compared to last year," Verstappen told his own website. In the first free practice session, Sergio Pérez was second and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz finished third by about two tenths.

In the second practice session of the day, it was too wet for slicks, but too dry for intermediates. Together with his team, the three-time world champion decided not to take to the asphalt. "In the second free practice we couldn't do anything but there are still a few things we need to look at and try out. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the first free practice."

The weekend in Japan will continue on Saturday with the third free practice and qualifying. Once again, there is a chance of a wet track, which is why the Formula 1 drivers- including Verstappen - preferred to save their set of intermediates rather than break them on a track that is too dry.