Schumacher with an accident at the start in Suzuka - Alonso in front

Created: 2022-10-07Updated: 2022-10-07 07:16

The German Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher steers the Haas car over the track.

© Toru Hanai/AP/dpa

Mick Schumacher caused major damage to his Haas racing car in an accident at the start of the Formula 1 weekend in Japan.

Suzuka – After the end of the first free practice session, the 23-year-old crashed into the track barrier in turn eight on the slow-down lap in Suzuka.

In the continuous rain, Schumacher was able to get out of the car uninjured and leave the scene of the accident.

However, the front of his vehicle was severely damaged on the wet track and the front axle broke.

Schumacher, who continues to fight for a contract beyond the end of the season, had previously finished his first ever session in Suzuka in seventh place.

In the past two years, the track was not on the racing calendar due to the corona pandemic.

Former world champion Fernando Alonso drove the best practice time.

The 41-year-old Spaniard finished in 1:42.248 minutes in his Alpine car more than three tenths of a second ahead of Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

World champion Max Verstappen only did a few laps in his Red Bull and, in the increasing rain, decided not to do a very fast lap.

The 25-year-old only finished sixth.

The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel also hardly reeled off kilometers and was last in the little meaningful practice session in the Aston Martin.

If Verstappen wins on Sunday (7 a.m. / Sky) in the expected wet conditions and also turns the fastest race lap, he will make the successful title defense perfect early on.

It can also achieve its second title in other constellations, Verstappen only has to get eight points more than Leclerc and six more than teammate Sergio Perez.

Before the 18th of 22 rounds of the season, Verstappen leads Leclerc with 104 points.

After the Grand Prix, he would need a lead of 112 points to make the decision.

Otherwise the decision will be postponed to the next race in the USA.

dpa