Lap 29 (out of 53): Verstappen pursues his lone rider in the lead
The reigning world champion is more than 10 seconds ahead of his teammate Sergio Pérez. Carlos Sainz, 3rd, is five seconds behind Pérez. Alonso is 4th, Piastri 5th. Leclerc is in 6th position, ahead of Norris who has just passed Russell.
Leclerc stops and comes out in front of Russell and Norris!
Thanks to the DRS, Sergio Pérez returns on the heels of Charles Leclerc (2nd), who still has not stopped. But the Ferrari driver made a mistake due to poor braking and went slightly off the track! His tires are now dirty… And logically Leclerc returns to the pits at the same time as Norris. The Monegasque comes out in front of him and, above all, just in front of Russell
“I’m pushing, what are you talking to me about!”, tense exchange between Ocon and his engineer
In difficulty in 16th place, Esteban Ocon has a tense vocal exchange with his engineer who asks him to “push” his car, to which the Frenchman replies that “that’s what he’s doing”. ..
Verstappen takes back the reins
The Red Bull driver has just set the fastest lap in the race, after overtaking Leclerc, who has still not stopped. Behind, Norris and Pérez battle for 3rd place.
Round 20 (out of 53): update on the ranking
1- Leclerc
2- Verstappen
3- Norris
4- Perez
5-Russell
6- Sainz
7-Hamilton
8- Alonso
9- Piastri
10- Magnussen
11- Bottas
12- Sargeant
13- Tsunoda
14- Stroll
15- Hulkenberg
16-Ocon
17- Gasly
Gasly in the tough
Big loss of aerodynamic support for Gasly’s Alpine, which goes to the pits. Complicated day for the Frenchman.
The big names stop
Sainz and Pérez both stop. The two drivers remain on medium tires, and the Red Bull driver leaves in front of the Ferrari driver. A lap later, it was leader Max Verstappen who made his first stop. Leclerc, who has not yet returned, is in the lead. Russell, with his hard tires, makes a nice move to pass in front of Norris.
Lap 13 (of 53): Hamilton asks if he should let Russell pass
Perhaps lacking pace, Lewis Hamilton asks his staff if he should let his teammate pass. Affirmative, he gives up his position a few seconds later.
It’s over, however, for Zhou (Sauber), who stops in the pits for good.
Lap 12 (of 53): Gasly falls back, Norris stops
Gasly gives in to Sargeant and falls to 14th place. The Alpine is having difficulties this Sunday. Quick stop (2.3 seconds) by Lando Norris in the pits, who restarts in 8th place.
Sainz gets closer to Norris
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), on the advice of his team, tries to put pressure on Lando Norris (McLaren), who is less than a second in front of him. 7th, Charles Leclerc, distances himself from Lewis Hamilton (8th), and tries to get back on Piastri (6th).
Verstappen is already starting to dig
More than two seconds already ahead for Max Verstappen over Sergio Pérez as the drivers begin the 7th lap. The Dutchman also has the best lap on the track. Gasly is now 13th, just behind Ocon but under pressure from Magnussen.
It almost hit between Gasly and Ocon…
The two Alpine teammates battled from the first corner of this new start. And it was Ocon who kept the advantage (12th) over Gasly (14th) by taking the inside.
Verstappen starts again in the lead, no incidents
The two Red Bulls set off again, ahead of Norris (McLaren) and Sainz (Ferrari). Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) is 7th, Hamilton 8th.
It’s back to Suzuka!
New warm-up lap for the now 18 drivers still competing in this Japanese Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Mercedes) start again on hard rubber, the idea is to finish the Grand Prix with these new tires. Ditto for the two Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, as well as for Logan Sargeant (Williams).
Next departure at 7:32 a.m.
Max Verstappen and others will gradually get back into their cars. The next departure – stopped – was announced at 2:32 p.m. local time (7:32 a.m. in France).
The drivers will be entitled to a fresh start
The entire paddock returned to the pits, and the drivers evacuated their cars before being entitled, in a few minutes, to a new start. The helmets were removed to take advantage of the approximately 22 degrees at Suzuka. The first nine drivers on the starting grid will start in the same order.
Red flag, Ricciardo and Albon collide!
Big shock at the third corner. It’s over for Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls) and Alex Albon (Williams). The red flag was raised by the race stewards. Both cars crashed into the safety barriers. More fear than harm for the two men who got out of their car apparently without damage. Ricciardo forgot Albon on his right and pushed him down, leading to the crash.
The drivers take position on the starting grid, and off we go!
Perfect start for the two Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez. Behind, Norris, Sainz and Alonso are neck and neck.
It’s time for the start of the training tour!
The drivers will soon warm up their tires for this fourth Grand Prix of the season, which will last 53 laps. The sun is out at Suzuka this Sunday at 2 p.m. (local time), with a temperature 12 degrees higher than the qualifying session the day before.
Hello everyone and welcome to RMC Sport for the Japanese GP
Continuation of the Formula 1 world championship this Sunday with the fourth stage: the Japanese Grand Prix, on the legendary Suzuka circuit. Start of the race at 7 a.m. French time.
Front row 100% Red Bull with Max Verstappen on pole. The three-time world champion is accompanied by his teammate Sergio Perez. Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz occupy the second row. Charles Leclerc is only eighth.
The race can be followed on TV on Canal+ but especially on the RMC Sport website and app.