Japanese GP: Max Verstappen goes fastest in FP3

Max Verstappen was fastest in the final practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix, in much-improved weather conditions.

Rain hit Suzuka considerably on Friday meaning we didn’t really have a good idea of who’d be strong in the dry going into FP3, though the usual suspects were always going to be there or thereabouts.

Indeed, with it the first dry session of the weekend, there was plenty of on-track activity in FP3 as teams aimed to garner as much data as possible and Verstappen, looking to seal the title this weekend, was bang on it from the very start.

Indeed, the Dutchman is looking to have a straightforward weekend in Japan so he can seal the championship with four races to start, and he certainly looks as though he has the pace once again to give himself the chance of doing that.

Behind Max were the two Ferraris in P2 and P3, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in second and third, whilst Fernando Alonso was P4 for Alpine.

The Alpine is looking very quick this weekend, especially at the hands of Alonso, and he’ll hope that can translate into a positive qualifying performance later on.

Sergio Perez was fifth-fastest with him having a bit of work to do to close the gap to his team-mate as he aims to build on his great win in Singapore, with the two Mercedes – first and second in FP2 on Friday – of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton behind the Mexican.

Lando Norris was 8th ahead of the other Alpine of Esteban Ocon, whilst Lance Stroll completed the top 10.

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