F1 Results Today: Japanese Grand Prix practice times – Verstappen pushed for perfect hat-trick

Matthew Hobkinson
Saturday 23 September 2023 06:38 - Updated: 07:05

Max Verstappen has made the perfect start to the Japanese Grand Prix weekend as he returned to the top of the timesheets for FP3.

The two-time world champion, who also went fastest in Friday's FP1 and FP2 running, recorded an unbeatable lap time of 1:30.267s.

He was pushed by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who were both within three tenths of the Dutchman, with the papaya pair looking rapid ahead of qualifying.

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Ferrari will be looking to capitalise on their impressive performances at Monza and Singapore in recent weeks, yet Carlos Sainz – who of course claimed victory at the Marina Bay circuit last time out – could only go sixth fastest in the final session before qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton was still eight tenths off Verstappen and six tenths behind Norris, as the seven-time world champion only managed to go seventh fastest overall.

He was closely followed by Mercedes team-mate George Russell in eighth.

Here are the timesheets from all the practice action at Suzuka.

Japanese Grand Prix FP3 practice results - Saturday September 22

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1:30.267s.

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.240s

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.288s

4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.737s

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.755s

6. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.870s

7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.892s

8. George Russell (Mercedes) +1.238s

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +1.282s

10. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) +1.401s

11. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) +1.432s

12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +1.613s

13. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +1.657s

14. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) +1.684s

15. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +1.712s

16. Logan Sargeant (Williams) +1.735s

17. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri) +1.781s

18. Alex Albon (Williams) +1.846s

19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1.887s

20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.932s

Japanese Grand Prix FP2 practice results - Friday September 22

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1:30.688s

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.320s

3. Lando Norris (McLaren): +0.464s

4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): +0.549s

5. George Russell (Mercedes): +0.640s

6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +0.804s

7. Alex Albon (Williams): +0.867s

8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): +0.974s

9. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): +1.022s

10. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo): +1.051s

11. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): +1.083s

12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine): +1.106s

13. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas): +1.109s

14. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): +1.141s

15. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri): +1.453s

16. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo): +1.477s

17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas): +1.481s

18. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri): +1.490s

19. Pierre Gasly (Alpine): +1.491s

20. Logan Sargeant (Williams): +1.632s

Japanese Grand Prix FP1 practice results - Friday September 22

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1:31.647s

2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): +0.626s

3. Lando Norris (McLaren): +0.745s

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.927s

5. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri): +0.950s

6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +1.003s

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): +1.066s

8. Alex Albon (Williams): +1.344s

9. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri): +1.358s

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): +1.393s

11. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): +1.396s

12. Pierre Gasly (Alpine): +1.482s

13. George Russell (Mercedes): +1.663s

14. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas): +1.801s

15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine): +1.869s

16. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): +2.052s

17. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo): +2.213s

18. Kevin Magnussen (Haas): +2.328s

19. Logan Sargeant (Williams): +2.565s

20. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo): +3.184s

Is there Formula 1 today?

The final practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix weekend has now come to an end, as all eyes shift to qualifying.

FP3 started at 11.30am local time (03.30am UK, 04.30am CET) with qualifying taking place later in the day at 3pm local time – 7am UK time.

Who is the current F1 world champion?

Dutchman Max Verstappen of Red Bull is the defending two-time F1 world champion after taking the title in 2021 and 2022.

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