Max Verstappen described his pace as “promising” after finishing third-fastest on Friday at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutchman, who has never finished off the podium at Suzuka while driving for Red Bull, settled in behind the two Mercedes’ and ahead of both Ferrari’s, with less than three-tenths gap to pacesetter Valtteri Bottas.
And with the pressure mounting after four tough races since the summer break, and the whole of Japan cheering them on thanks to their Honda partnership, Max was upbeat.
“I think the first practice was not so good, but the second practice we improved a lot,” Verstappen surmised via Crash.net.
“That seemed a bit more promising. Still, Mercedes is very quick and we have some more work to do, but it was a decent recovery.”
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As Typhoon Hagibis gets set to hit landfall in Japan in the coming hours, the decision was made on Friday to cancel all Saturday track activities with qualifying now on Sunday morning.
Having already hinted at a day of FIFA vs. Carlos Sainz on Thursday, the 22-year-old actually hopes to capitalise from the altered schedule.
“That doesn’t matter [to me] at all,” he said on the impact of an unexpected rest day.
“It’s just a free day and then on Sunday morning, we go again. It’s not like it’s the end of the world or something dramatic happens.
“It’s just that they have moved qualifying and skipped FP3 but I actually don’t mind, I think the less we run the better for me.”
An honourable mention has to go to Alex Albon, who finished only four-tenths behind Verstappen and within catching distance of Ferrari on his first day of running at Suzuka.
The Thai driver wasn’t too overly fussed mind you.
“I think it’s been OK,” he stated. “Mercedes still looks pretty quick and are doing a lot of damage in the corners.
“There’s more work to do and obviously we’ll see on Sunday if it’s dry.”