The starting grid for this Sunday’s F1 Japanese GP (7:00 am PDT/DAZN F1) at Suzuka will once again be led by Max Verstappen. After two Grand Prix in which Carlos Sainz took pole and after a disastrous Singapore GP for the Dutchman, the two-time world champion returned to the lead and seemed unbeatable to achieve his 13th victory in 16 that career. Max will start ahead of the two McLarens, Piastri (2nd) and Norris (3rd), who despite their excellent race pace, will have to worry more about ‘Checo’ Pérez, who must come from behind.
‘Checo’ Pérez will start 5th on the starting grid of the 2023 F1 Japanese GP behind Charles Leclerc (4th) and ahead of Carlos Sainz (6th), between the two Ferraris.
The Mexican shouldn’t have any complications overtaking the two red cars, but he needs to lose as little time as possible in that first fight to be on the podium. Their car should be better at race pace than the two McLarens, so Piastri and Pérez will have to fight as a team to hold off the Mexican in a fight for the podium that could be even more exciting if the two Mercedes is back.
Mercedes always had a better pace on Sundays than in qualifying. Hamilton starts 7th and Russell 8th on the starting grid of the 2023 F1 Japanese GP this Sunday. They will have to face each other in the Ferraris and they will have a very difficult time.
In other matches Tsunoda (9th) and Fernando Alonso (10th). The Spaniard wants to score points on a complex circuit for his car. The high degradation of the track could benefit Aston Martin, although it is necessary to see if it is true in the race and allows the Spaniard to gain some positions.
F1 2023 Japanese GP starting grid:
- Max Verstappen (PB/Red Bull) 1:28.877
- Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 1:29.458
- Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1:29.493
- Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:29.542
- Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:29.650
- Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 1:29.850
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:29.908
- George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:30.219
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri) 1:30.303
- Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) 1:30.560
- Liam Lawson (NZL/AlphaTauri) 1:30.508
- Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:30.509
- Alexander Albon (THA/Williams) 1:30.537
- Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine) 1:30.586
- Kevin Magnussen (DIN/Haas) 1:30.665
- Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:31.049
- Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 1:31.181
- Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Haas) 1:31.299
- Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1:31.398
- Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams) Crash in Q1, no time
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
