Thousands of fans converged on Suzuka Circuit on Friday for the first practice day of the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix.
Japan has long been a hotbed of support for Formula One and this year looks to be no different, with many turning out to support local driver Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri.
Haas crew members go through stretching exercises on Friday morning.
| Dan Orlowitz
One corner of Suzuka Circuit is reserved for fan photographers.
| Dan Orlowitz
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is close to claiming his third straight Formula One title.
| Dan Orlowitz
Red Bull can clinch the constructors’ championship with a strong showing in Suzuka.
| Dan Orlowitz
A fan supports Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc in the Suzuka Circuit fan zone on Friday.
| Dan Orlowitz
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon finished fourth at Suzuka last year.
| Dan Orlowitz
One dedicated fan spent a week designing nail decorations for herself and her partner.
| Dan Orlowitz
Fans watch Friday afternoon’s practice session.
| Dan Orlowitz
Lando Norris drives his McLaren on Friday.
| Dan Orlowitz
This fan expressed disappointment at the absence of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff from this year’s Japanese Grand Prix.
| Dan Orlowitz
Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu is the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula One.
| Dan Orlowitz
Fans at the Japanese Grand Prix are known for their creative outfits during race weekend.
| Dan Orlowitz
Haas pit crew members train on Friday morning.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Fans fill the stands near Turn 2 at Suzuka Circuit ahead of Friday’s first practice session.
| Dan Orlowitz
Yuki Tsunoda drives during the first practice session on Friday.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Autograph-seeking fans line the entrance to the fan zone outside Suzuka Circuit on Friday.
| Dan Orlowitz
A Yuki Tsunoda fan poses outside Suzuka Circuit.
| Dan Orlowitz
Some fans, including this group from the Philippines, have waited to attend Suzuka since their initial plans were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
| Dan Orlowitz
Banners supporting Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton are hung from the main grandstand on Friday.
| Dan Orlowitz
Local fans have high hopes for Yuki Tsunoda, who’s said he wants to score points at his home grand prix.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz arrives at the Suzuka Circuit paddock on Friday morning.
| Dan Orlowitz
Engine supplier Honda retains a strong following among Formula One fans in Japan, despite having folded its works team in 2008.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
AlphaTauri driver Liam Lawson arrives at Suzuka Circuit on Friday morning.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Lewis Hamilton drives in Friday’s first practice session.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Williams driver Logan Sargeant during Friday’s first practice session
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (left) arrives at Suzuka Circuit on Friday morning.
| Dan Orlowitz
| Dan Orlowitz