India, April 5 -- Max Verstappen, piloting the upgraded Red Bull RB20, set the fastest time during the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. This practice was the second in a row to be disrupted by a red flag, which was caused by a crash involving a driver from the Williams team. During the first practice session (FP1), Logan Sargeant, while using soft tyres, lost control of his car at Turn 7. He veered off the track and grazed the grass on the outside of the left turn before colliding with the barriers.

This tragedy worsens Williams' difficulties, as they are already confronting shortages of components as a result of a rough winter and prior damage sustained in Australia. Sargeant was driving a rebuilt monoc...