There is only so much you can extrapolate from one-and-a-bit practice sessions on a day when the only thing really catching fire was the grass around the Suzuka circuit. But it is fair to say that Yuki Tsunoda’s first day in a Red Bull was a qualified success.

Max Verstappen confirmed Thursday he was unhappy with Red Bull’s ruthless driver swap for the Japanese Grand Prix, saying his endorsement of a social media post criticizing the move “speaks for itself”.

During the Thursday press conference, Pierre Gasly discussed the seat swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, something Gasly himself has been through. Lawson was demoted after his performances at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.