Mercedes led the way at the end of free practice at Suzuka. George Russell set the fastest time in FP1, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli secured the fastest lap of the weekend in FP3. The teenager comes to Suzuka on a high after taking his maiden grand prix win last time out in China. A single wayward moment at Spoon Curve for Russell was the only blemish on another productive session for Mercedes. Having won the opening two races in commanding fashion, the Silver Arrows are well-placed to make it three in a row.
Initial signs point to McLaren being best of the rest, at least with regard to one-lap pace. Oscar Piastri took top honours in FP2, 0.092s ahead of Antonelli. Having failed to start a race in 2026, Piastri will be desperate to get his season off and running in Japan. Despite their strong pace, the reigning constructors’ champions were hindered by reliability issues. Lando Norris’s FP2 got off to a slow start thanks to a hydraulic leak, while an issue with the energy recovery system meant he was only able to get out on track 20 minutes before the end of FP3. Even so, the reigning world champion was able to end the final session in sixth. After their disastrous double DNS in Shanghai, McLaren will be hoping for a quick turnaround at Suzuka.
By contrast, Ferrari come to Japan off the back of a memorable weekend in Shanghai. Solid race pace allowed Charles Leclerc to take fourth, while a visibly upbeat Lewis Hamilton was finally able to claim his first podium in red. Although unable to challenge Mercedes, the Ferrari duo ended FP3 in third and fifth, respectively. However, both Leclerc and Hamilton had noticeable issues with the SF-26’s handling. Hamilton looked skittish at the Esses in FP2, while Leclerc suffered big slides at both the Degner Curve and the hairpin in FP3. It remains to be seen if Ferrari will be able to solve these handling issues in time for qualifying; fortunately for them, they have two tremendously talented drivers at the helm.
Despite being hindered by Piastri in FP3, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg was able to cap off a solid free practice with seventh in the final session, one place ahead of Max Verstappen. He may have dominated Suzuka in recent times, having taken pole and the win in each of the last four Japanese Grand Prix, but with the Red Bull RB22 unable to contend with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, Verstappen looks set for another trying weekend.
Gabriel Bortoleto underlined Audi’s strong form by setting the ninth fastest time in FP3. A commendable performance, given that mechanical issues limited his track time to just four minutes in FP2.
Pierre Gasly ended the final session in tenth, one place ahead of Isack Hadjar. Liam Lawson survived a run-in with Haas’s Ollie Bearman in FP3 to set the 11th fastest time, just under two tenths of a second quicker than his teammate Arvid Lindblad. Technical issues in FP2 prevented the rookie from setting a competitive time. Having also missed the sole free practice session in Shanghai due to poor reliability, the rookie will face another stern test this weekend. The Haas’s of Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman ended FP3 in 14th and 15th respectively, despite the latter suffering a major spin on the exit of Spoon Curve.
Alex Albon had an uneven free practice; the Thai driver nearly collided with the barriers at Degner 2 in FP1 and later collided with Sergio Perez at the chicane. He ended FP3 in 16th, one place ahead of Franco Colapinto, who, fresh off his first points finish of the season in China, was the first car on track in the final part of practice. Carlos Sainz had a largely trouble-free run to 18th ahead of the two Cadillacs of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, the latter having had a delayed start to FP2 due to floor damage sustained in the collision with Albon.
Lance Stroll set the 21st fastest time in FP3 ahead of his teammate Fernando Alonso, who missed FP1 due to the birth of his first child; his place was taken by Aston Martin reserve Jak Crawford.
Mercedes’ strong form is showing no signs of easing up. However, with McLaren and Ferrari jostling for position behind them, it remains to be seen who will be best of the rest at Suzuka.
