Suzuka (Japan) (AFP)

Finland's Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) set the fastest time of the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix, the 17th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Suzuka circuit (5,807 km).

With a time of 1: 28 sec 731/1000, he is ahead of his British teammate Lewis Hamilton, leader of the driver classification, 76/1000 only.

Ferrari's German Sebastian Vettel and Monegasque Charles Leclerc are relegated to 989/1000 and 1 sec 181/1000.

Red Bull Dutch Max Verstappen and Thai Alexander Albon close the top 6 at 1 sec 315/1000 and 1 sec 644/1000.

The McLarens and Racing Points round out the top 10, despite a loss of engine power due to an electrical problem on the McLaren by Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr. at the opening of the session.

Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo Racing) was only able to finish four laps after a mechanical problem.

To note the presence of the Japanese Naoki Yamamoto, the defending champion in the categories Super Formula and Super GT, in the tub of the French Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) the time of these free trials 1.

The riders and their teams only have two practice sessions on Friday to prepare for qualifying and the race, the third scheduled for Saturday morning being canceled due to Typhoon Hagibis.

They will resume the track at 14:00 local (07:00 French) Friday.

The qualifications, originally scheduled for Saturday, are postponed to Sunday at 10:00 (03:00).

This report is conditioned to the weather Sunday morning, strong gusts of wind are still expected.

The race remains scheduled at 14:10 (07:10) Sunday.

. 1st free practice session:

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 28.731 (26 turns)

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 28.807 (25)

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 29.720 (26)

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 29.912 (20)

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 30.046 (22)

Alexander Albon (THA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 30.375 (24)

Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 30.702 (21)

Sergio Perez (MEX / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 30.810 (21)

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 30.959 (27)

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 31.001 (24)

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 31.283 (25)

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 31.307 (27)

Nico Hulkenberg (GER / Renault) 1: 31.426 (29)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 31.563 (25)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 31.785 (22)

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 31.920 (23)

Naoki Yamamoto (JPN / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 32.018 (30)

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 32,800 (23)

Robert Kubica (POL / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 33.484 (27)

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 36.887 (4)

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