Max Verstappen heads to Suzuka off the back of a superb victory in Sepang, his second career victory and the Dutchman is keen to carry that momentum forward at a track that holds some very special memories.
It was here, at the Japanese track, that he completed his first ever Friday free practice session behind the wheel of an F1 car, and look where that lead to!
His win in Malaysia was very special to the young 20 yr old, especially after a run of bad luck throughout the season that has seen hm either retire from mechanical failures or due to be knocked out by another competitor.
However, his confidence has now returned and he is eager for a repeat here in Japan on Sunday.
"It's where I did my first Friday practice ever in an F1 car and it's just an amazing track to drive, because the first sector is very fast,” he said. "It's really old school, so you can't make big mistakes because you will end up in the gravel and that's not what you want, so I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend again. Hopefully we can fight for a podium again - that would be really good."
