Japan Grand Prix | Max Verstappen hopes to use Japan’s high-speed Suzuka circuit to reassert his dominance in Formula 1

Max Verstappen prepares to conquer Suzuka after a challenging start to the F1 season in Australia.

Max Verstappen said he found Japan's Suzuka circuit "intimidating” the first time he navigated a Formula 1 car around the figure-eight layout with its high-speed corners and narrow confines.

No longer daunted by Suzuka, the track looks like an ideal bounce-back destination for Verstappen. In the last F1 race two weeks ago in Australia, a fire on his right-rear brakes forced him out on the fourth lap — ending a nine-race victory string.

“I think if you look at Melbourne performance-wise, I think we were quick, but we didn’t finish the race," Verstappen said. "So that’s not ideal, but our car normally likes the higher-speed corners, so hopefully we can show that again this weekend.”

That's what's expected Sunday from the three-time defending F1 champion.

He was the quickest in Friday's first practice session. The second session was dampened by a light rain with most teams deciding not to run in the damp to save tire wear. Verstappen was among those sitting out.

Verstappen clocked 1 minute, 30.056 seconds in the first practice, .181 ahead of teammate Sergio Perez and .213 up on Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, winner of the Australian GP .

Verstappen won his second Formula 1 season title at Suzuka in 2022, and he dominated in Japan last season as he won his third straight title.