It was a quiet first session at Suzuka as the drivers got used to the track and the challenge awaiting them. All eyes were on Max Verstappen who made his practice debut for Toro Rosso and thus became the youngest ever F1 driver to participate in a session. He did quite well, avoided a crash with fellow Friday driver Robert Merhi in the Caterham, but ended the morning run with an engine problem.

Nico Rosberg pipped his teammate to the top spot by just two tenths of a second, the pair very closely matched on pace. Ferrari were best of the rest, with the Red Bull duo further down the field.