Japanese GP: Kevin Magnussen's verdict on impressive-looking Friday showing

Kevin Magnussen has given his verdict on his Friday practice with him going fifth-fastest in both FP1 and FP2 sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Rain lashed the Suzuka circuit for much of Friday meaning both practice sessions were held in totally wet conditions, and it was interesting seeing who was looking decent on the slippery surface ahead of the weekend’s action.

Indeed, Saturday could be dry but Sunday’s race may have some rain involved, and Haas may well be hoping that that is the case with the pace they’ve shown in Japan so far.

Magnussen was fifth in both sessions whilst Mick Schumacher was seventh in FP1, though he found himself unable to compete in FP2 after a crash in the first session required repairs.

Even so, the Haas is looking decent enough and Magnussen summed things up as a ‘pretty good day,’ though he is perhaps not expecting to be up as high as fifth come the end of qualifying.

“FP1, we were strong; FP2 I thought we weren’t as strong,” said the recently turned 30-year-old.

“It was good, it was wet today all day so I was worried we weren’t going to get any running but actually it was good conditions.

“For intermediates sometimes it was a bit too much [water] for intermediates, but we did quite a few laps. So I’m happy for the people who came out today to watch the cars go round that there was actually a bit of running. Yeah, a pretty good day.”

Haas find themselves in P8 in the standings and they’re involved in a really close fight with Aston Martin and AlphaTauri for P7, with Aston on 37 points after a double top 10 finish in Singapore last time out.

Haas and AlphaTauri are locked together on 34 points, meanwhile, and so this could be one of the more intriguing plotlines of the remaining