Verstappen gets back on track ahead of Japanese GP qualifying
The Hindu
Max Verstappen set fastest times in both practice sessions for Japanese GP, looking to clinch 3rd-straight F1 title. Red Bull's Verstappen 0.320sec quicker than Leclerc in 2nd practice. Verstappen leads Perez in championship standings, looking to bounce back from 5th-place finish in Singapore.
Max Verstappen laid down a marker with the fastest times in both practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday, as he looks to put one hand on his third-straight Formula One title.
Red Bull's Verstappen put down a lap of 1min 30.688sec to finish 0.320sec quicker than second-placed Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in the second practice.
Verstappen, who leads teammate and nearest rival Sergio Perez by 151 points in the championship standings, cannot clinch the title on Sunday but a favourable result can set him up to seal the deal at the Qatar Grand Prix next month.
The Dutchman is looking to bounce back from a disappointing fifth-place finish at last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix that ended his record streak of 10-straight wins.
He said his car was "enjoyable to drive again".
"We had a strong day on short runs, long runs," said Verstappen.
"There's a lot of degradation on this track so it will be quite tough on tyres in the race, but so far it's a good start to the weekend."
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