Max Verstappen finished the first free practice on the Japanese Suzuka circuit as fastest. The Dutchman drove a 1:30.056 on the soft tire. Teammate Sergio Pérez, Carlos Sainz and both Mercedes drivers completed the top five, with Lewis Hamilton at the bottom, almost five-tenths behind Verstappen. Logan Sargeant made the first hit of the weekend, and also caused the first red flag at Suzuka this year.
