Lando Norris narrows gap on Max Verstappen at final practice in Japan
Lando Norris raised hopes that he could challenge Max Verstappen for pole at the Japanese Grand Prix by finishing final practice within three tenths of the Red Bull driver. Verstappen’s record 10-race winning run and Red Bull’s unbeaten season came to an end in Singapore last weekend. He had set a blistering pace on Friday to suggest the team have put their struggles in the city-state behind them. The Dutchman’s margin in opening practice was a huge 0.626 seconds over Ferrari’s Singapore-winner Carlos Sainz before beating Charles Leclerc by 0.320sec in P2. That raised fears that Verstappen, who is closing in on a hat-trick of world titles, could dominate the weekend in a Red Bull car which Lewis Hamilton predicted would be “phenomenal” around the high-speed corner track at Suzuka. But Norris finished just 0.240 seconds adrift of the 25-year-old and just 0.048 ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri as the British team continued to show strong pace. Mercedes pair Hamilton and George Russell enjoyed a more promising session but remained off the pace of Red Bull and McLaren. Hamilton in particular struggled badly in Friday’s two practice sessions, finishing 16th and 14th, with the seven-time world champion admitting Mercedes had work to do before qualifying. The 38-year-old finished seventh in P3, albeit 0.892sec behind pace-setter Verstappen, with Russell eighth. Mercedes are battling with Ferrari to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari, who are running a new floor at Suzuka, claimed the edge by finishing fifth and sixth but were over half-a-second adrift of the two McLarens. Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull claimed fourth, 0.737sec behind his team-mate. A large number of the teams are struggling with tyre degradation due to the higher-than-usual heat at Suzuka, with a track temperature of over 48 degrees Celsius recorded during P3, raising the possibility of a three-stop race on Sunday. Qualifying gets under way at 1500 local time (0700 BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen returns to form in Japanese Grand Prix practice Lance Stroll to sit out Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying ‘You can forget about that’ – Max Verstappen rules out another win in Singapore
2023-09-23 12:26
Meet Lachlan Murdoch, soon to be the new power behind Fox News and the Murdoch empire
For Lachlan Murdoch, this has been a long time coming — assuming, that is, his moment has actually arrived
2023-09-23 12:19
Nikki Haley's approach to abortion is rooted in her earliest days in South Carolina politics
Nikki Haley is gaining attention in the GOP race with her calls for “consensus” around abortion, an unusual tone in a campaign where Republican White House hopefuls often prefer to highlight their eagerness to fight President Joe Biden and other Democrats
2023-09-23 12:19
EU Negotiator Says Trade Relations with China ‘Very Imbalanced’
The European Union has a “very imbalanced” trade relationship with China, according to the EU’s chief trade negotiator.
2023-09-23 12:17
Internet says Kim Kardashian looks like 'wannabe knock-off' Kylie Jenner after she flaunts leather outfit
'The Kardashians' star Kim Kardashian channels Stuart Weitzman in new photos
2023-09-23 11:59
Kim Kardashian called 'airhead' after 'word salad' interview talking about running beauty and fashion businesses goes viral
The internet is perplexed by Kim Kardashian's 'word salad' as the creator of SKKN discusses her hands-on approach to operating her beauty and fashion enterprises
2023-09-23 11:52
Minnesota Twins clinch AL Central title with 8-6 win over Angels
The Minnesota Twins have clinched the AL Central title with an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels
2023-09-23 11:46
Ragans goes 6 innings, Royals use two big innings to beat Astros 7-5, knock Houston out of 1st
Cole Ragans gave up three hits and two runs over six strong innings, and the Kansas City Royals used two big innings to defeat Houston 7-5 and knock the Astros out of first place in the AL West
2023-09-23 11:46
3 things I heard inside the Chicago Cubs clubhouse on Friday
The Chicago Cubs got a much-needed win on Friday over the Colorado Rockies, and we were there to hear reactions from the manager and players.
2023-09-23 11:27
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman reaches 200 hits for first time in his career
Freddie Freeman reached 200 hits for the first time in his career with a single in the first inning
2023-09-23 11:26
Fry's double in ninth inning sends Guardians to 9-8 win, spoils comeback by AL East-leading Orioles
David Fry delivered a two-run double with one out in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Guardians recovered from closer Emmanuel Clase blowing another save and rallied to beat the AL-East leading Baltimore Orioles 9-8
2023-09-23 11:25
Pirates score two runs in 7th, rally to beat Reds 7-5
Bryan Reynolds drove in the tying run in the seventh inning with an RBI single and scored the go-ahead run two batters later on Elly De La Cruz’s throwing error the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-5
2023-09-23 11:21