SUZUKA, Japan, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Red Bull's runaway Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen roared back from defeat in Singapore to set the fastest lap in the first practice for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday.
Verstappen's best time of one minute 31.647 seconds was 0.626 quicker than Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the winner in Singapore.
McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest, 0.745 off the pace with a late switch to the soft tyres, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth and 0.927 slower than Verstappen.
Perez, 151 points behind Verstappen after 15 of 22 races, was only 11th and 1.396 seconds slower than his team mate.
Red Bull are set to retain their constructors' title in Japan on Sunday, needing to score only a point more than Mercedes.
Persons:
Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Verstappen's, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, McLaren's Lando Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Max, McLaren, Zak Brown, Perez, Red Bull, Mercedes, George Russell 13th, Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Williams, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Aston, Lance, Alan Baldwin, Christian Schmollinger
Organizations:
Suzuka, Sky Sports, Verstappen, Thomson
Locations:
SUZUKA, Japan, Singapore, Marina Bay, Mexican, London