George Russell topped FP1 at Suzuka on Friday. Oscar Piastri then led FP2 to split the Japanese GP practice results between Mercedes and McLaren across the day. Russell posted a 1:31.666 to head a Mercedes one-two in the morning, with Kimi Antonelli 0.026 seconds back. McLaren and Ferrari followed closely. Verstappen managed only seventh for Red Bull, already over half a second adrift of the session leader.
McLaren confirmed strong pace across both sessions. Norris and Piastri ran third and fourth in FP1, separated by just 0.067 seconds. However, a hydraulic leak forced Norris to miss most of FP2, leaving him with just two laps completed. His P21 classification consequently disguises McLaren’s true pace. The team faces an urgent overnight repair before FP3 begins Saturday morning at the Japanese circuit.
FP2 delivered the sharpest read of the 2026 Japanese GP practice results over a single lap. Piastri set a 1:30.133, leading Antonelli by 0.092 seconds as incidents and mechanical failures disrupted the session throughout. Leclerc finished third for Ferrari at 1:30.846, while Hamilton took fifth at 1:31.280. Furthermore, both Ferrari drivers improved measurably from FP1, confirming genuine single-lap potential ahead of Saturday afternoon qualifying at Suzuka.
Antonelli produced arguably the most significant individual story of the entire Friday. Kimi Antonelli finished second in both sessions, posting back-to-back top-two results across one of Formula 1’s most technically demanding circuits. Additionally, his composure under pressure throughout the day signalled a driver entirely comfortable operating at this level. Mercedes will head into Saturday with confidence in both their car and their driver lineup as the 2026 constructors standings begin to take shape.
Red Bull remain a concern after two difficult sessions at Suzuka. Verstappen finished eighth in FP2 at 1:32.192, with Isack Hadjar ninth. Moreover, that combined result places the reigning constructors measurably off the pace of the front three teams. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson delivered Friday’s best midfield result. The Racing Bulls driver finished sixth in FP2 after consistent and clean running across both sessions, with no incidents to report through the day.
Hulkenberg posted seventh for Audi in FP2, continuing the team’s quiet but measured progress through the 2026 season. Haas ran both Ocon and Bearman inside the top sixteen across the full day of running. Alpine showed improvement between sessions, with Gasly reaching tenth in FP2 after a more difficult FP1. Consequently, the midfield picture remains tightly contested with multiple teams capable of disrupting established order heading into qualifying.
Williams endured a more complicated Friday. Albon and Perez made contact at the final chicane late in FP1, and Albon had also clipped the barriers at Turn 9 earlier in the session. Carlos Sainz recovered to twelfth in FP2 despite the disruption, but the team will need cleaner running in FP3 to properly assess their qualifying position. Bortoleto also suffered a power unit problem early in FP2, limiting Audi’s afternoon data collection significantly.
FP1 produced further incidents demanding attention before Saturday. A three-wide moment at Turn 1 involving Leclerc, Gasly and Piastri highlighted the traffic intensity through the opening hour at this circuit. Crucially, FP3 runs Saturday morning before afternoon qualifying at Suzuka. Friday’s full Japanese GP practice results confirm at least three teams capable of fighting at the front when qualifying gets underway at Suzuka, with the Norris situation the one outstanding question McLaren must resolve overnight.
