Japan GP - Free Practice Report
Mercedes and Mclaren battle for top spot
Day One at the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the spectacular Suzuka circuit saw the two Mercedes continue where they left off in China, with George Russell narrowly beating team mate Kimi Antonelli in the opening session.
It was Mclaren, however, who appeared to be favourites to take the challenge to the Mercedes pairing as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri headed Charles LecLerc and Lewis Hamilton in their Ferraris.
Free Practice 2 saw the same two constructors head the field but it was Oscar Piastri edging ahead of the Mercedes pairing. Lando Norris may have been able to join his team mate at the top, but a hydraulic issue at the start of the session cost him 30 minutes valuable track time, as he finished the day in 4th.
Mclaren were not the only ones to have early technical issues as Audi worked frantically on the car of Gabriel Bortoleto for most of the session, eventually getting him out on track with only 12 minutes remaining.
Arvid Lindblad’s Racing Bulls was even less fortunate as the rookie only managed one lap before a gearbox issue kept him out for the remainder of FP2. Sergio Perez also sat out most of the session as the team worked on the underside of his Cadillac.
Worrying for Ferrari, apart from being unable to compete with Mclaren and Mercedes on day one at the fast Suzuka circuit, was the late session radio communication from Lewis Hamilton. The former champion admitted he was slow because had no confidence in is car.
Max Verstappen’s concerns with his 2026 Red Bull were not dispelled in these early sessions as he, once again, struggled with grip eventually finishing in 10th place, 1.4 seconds off the pace.
Veteran Nico Hulkenberg, in his Audi, finished the ‘best of the rest’ in 7th place, ahead of the Williams of Alex Alton in 8th and Oliver Bearman putting his Haas in 8th place.
