Max Verstappen records fastest time during final Japanese Grand Prix practice again

Racing star Max Verstappen topped the Japanese Grand Prix charts once again on Saturday, ahead of Sergio Perez and George Russell of Mercedes in the final session before qualifying.

According to The Straits Times, Verstappen had also recorded the fastest time in Friday's first free practice session but the Dutchman preferred to sit out the rain-hit second session.

Verstappen, 26, who is chasing a third straight victory in Japan, lapped the Suzuka circuit with a best time of one minute 29.563 seconds.

Meanwhile, Perez was 0.269 off the pace in second, with Russell 0.355 behind in third. Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth-fastest.

Additionally, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who finished in the top six on Friday, were seventh and 10th respectively.

Leclerc could be heard expressing bhis frustration over the team radio at the end of the session, saying: "What are we doing... come on!"

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo spun off the track in the final session, and finished in 13th, again behind his less experienced team mate Yuki Tsunoda up in 9th.

The pressure is on Ricciardo to keep his seat with highly regarded reserve driver Liam Lawson waiting in the wings.