First F1 laps after 17 years and 3 days in Suzuka: Verstappen is back in his hometown

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Max Verstappen will only be 26 years old on September 30. This week the Dutchman returned to the place where he drove his first official Formula 1 laps at the age of 17 and three days. He spent almost 60 minutes in Suzuka ahead of regular driver Vergne in the Toro Rosso Renault.

In terms of age, this is a record for eternity, as the age limit has been at least 18 for several years. The first GP adventure of the now 47-time GP winner in 178 races was stopped in Japan due to an engine failure. During the race there was a fatal Bianchi crash involving an excavator. The Frenchman died nine months later.

Sainz raised a red flag

“You never forget moments like this in a special race,” says Verstappen, who finished second twice and third once in Suzuka before winning in Japan in 2022. «I think all drivers love this unique course with the most beautiful corners of the year. A real, but dangerous challenge.”

Singapore winner Carlos Sainz (29) does not have such good memories of Suzuka. A year ago he was the first driver to retire in the pouring rain on the 5.807 km course. He turned and moved the Ferrari back onto the track. The Spaniard thus initiated a safety car phase, but the race management thought this was too dangerous eight years after the Bianchi tragedy – and the red flag was raised.

Only Gasly drove like crazy

While all the drivers carefully crept past the car rolling towards Sainz, Gasly suddenly entered the track from a pit stop – and raced past the accident site at more than 200 km/h. An insanity that was punished with an innocent time penalty of 20 seconds.

After two hours we continued with rain tires. Due to the maximum duration of three hours since the first start of the race, the GP was canceled after 28 laps (normally 53). Leclerc, who crossed the finish line behind Verstappen, took a shorter turn in a corner and gained 5 seconds, giving Pérez second place.

GP breakfast at ORF 1

While Singapore waited three days for the famous monsoon rain (once it was wet for twenty minutes), Suzuka almost guarantees rain. If you want to follow the first and third training live in Japan, you can do so on Friday and Saturday from 4:30 am to 5:30 am CET without pay TV on ORF1.

The second practice and qualifying start at 8:00 am CET, the race on Sunday at 7:00 am CET.

Source : Blick