Verstappen: We’re almost starting from zero

To get the party started the skies opted to open up over the Mie Prefecture on Friday, but dry weather is predicted for Saturday and Sunday, meaning starting from scratch in FP3 which will be crucial to setting the car up for the expected dry conditions.

Nevertheless, hoping to milk the massive PR that could happen if Verstappen wraps up the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship crown, and the team take a step towards their first F1 constructors' title since 2013.

On Sunday, Verstappen will secure his second F1 title if he beats Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by eight points — the difference between a victory with the fastest lap and second place — and scores six more than teammate Perez.

But it's only Friday, and on the day the Bulls were well bested by the Mercedes duo, whose George Russell topped the timesheets at the end of FP2.

But it was a wet session, which in the end (if the normally unpredictable weather forecasts are correct) will be meaningless as qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday will be dry, they say...

Summing up his Friday in the Red Bull team report, Verstappen said: "It was obviously raining a lot, so the two sessions weren’t very representative of what it will be like during qualifying or the race.

"It’s good to be back on track and always nice to be here in Suzuka. We were expecting more rain so it was good that we could go out on track for as long as we did. It’s a bit tricky to know where we are with pace when in the wet, but we did some basic setups today and not much more than that.

"We’re almost starting from zero [on Saturday] in the dry, but it’s the same for everyone, I don’t think it will make a massive difference throughout the grid. Let’s see what we can do!" added the F1 World Champion, who ended FP3 third fastest.

Fresh from the memorable Singapore Grand Prix victory, Perez is on a high as he proved just why he is one of the best drivers on the grid when he finds 'the zone' he was in on Sunday. He needs more of those more often.

Nevertheless, it was proof that when Verstappen fails he can pick up the pieces for the Blues, the pair have become the most formidable teammates on the grid right now, Red Bull's soon-to-be-claimed 2022 F1 constructors' title a testament to that.

At the end of a wet Friday, Checo reported: "It was wet out there and overall, it was a shame for the fans because of the weather but it looks better for [Saturday]. Hopefully, we get plenty of action on Saturday and then race day looks mixed so that can also be a great one for the crowd.

"This track is always a challenge and when it’s wet even more, it is the best track in the world, I think. We have managed to get a good read in these conditions, we are fairly comfortable and have a good idea of what we need to do, so it should be a good weekend," predicted Perez.

With Max all but world champ again, the Mexican veteran currently lies third in the 2022 F1 drivers' standings, only two behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with five rounds remaining; second in the championship would be his best championship year in F1. Last year Perez was third.

Notably, ahead of qualy, Verstappen (4) and Perez 91) have only started from pole five times this year yet, together the pair have won 13 times out of 17; Max is on 11 victories so far this season.