Not Mercedes, but McLaren turns out to be the fastest in the second free practice for the GP Japan. Oscar Piastri ends up at the top of the time sheet, world champion Lando Norris also makes an impression despite problems. Max Verstappen meanwhile struggles with the RB22 in Japan; after P7 in the opening session, he can’t do better than P10 in the second practice.
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Verstappen experiences a session in which everything is tried to make the Red Bull Racing car faster. For example, the nose is changed and during the practice session the rear of the RB22 is also modified. Oversteer and understeer, however, cause problems. More than a supporting role seems to be in store for him in Japan for now. Verstappen, a realist par excellence, didn’t expect miracles ahead of this weekend himself. But who knows: perhaps something will be found for Saturday and Sunday.
Piastri shows himself to be quick fairly early in the session. McLaren teammate Norris initially experiences hydraulic problems and doesn’t manage a lap time until more than half an hour in. Charles Leclerc is the fastest for Ferrari in the first part of the practice, followed by the Mercedes duo Russell and Antonelli. It is striking that Lewis Hamilton later reports having ‘no confidence’ in the Ferrari car.
Almost halfway through the practice, Piastri is the first of the top drivers to switch to soft tires. Verstappen follows, but he soon reports to his team that he is struggling with a lot of understeer. The struggle with the RB22 continues. Antonelli and Russell then pass the Ferraris on the time sheet.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso is also back. The Spaniard was absent in the first free practice, but puts his car, still plagued by vibrations, through its paces in session two. Aston Martin can’t break much new ground again. The same applies to Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), who can only get on track after fifty minutes. There are also problems for Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls); he only completes one lap and doesn’t set a time in the second free practice.
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In the final phase, Norris shows despite the hydraulic issues that there is no lack of speed: he first reports in at P6 with medium tires and then at P4 with soft rubber. Piastri remains the fastest, however, a boost for McLaren. Mercedes follows with both drivers after a problem-free first day in Japan. That cannot be said of Red Bull, with not only Verstappen at P10 but also Isack Hadjar only at P15.
The race weekend in Japan continues with the third free practice. That is at 3:30 AM Dutch time, in the night from Friday to Saturday. A few hours later, at 7:00 AM, qualifying follows at the Suzuka circuit. The race is Sunday morning also at 7:00 AM Dutch time (but note: daylight saving time is coming in!)
Top-10: Piastri, Antonelli, Russell, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Hülkenberg, Albon, Bearman, Verstappen.
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Results
- PosDriverTeamNationalityTime
- Oscar Piastri
McLaren
1:30.133 - Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
+ 0.092 - George Russell
Mercedes
+ 0.205 - Lando Norris
McLaren
+ 0.516 - Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
+ 0.713 - Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
+ 0.847 - Nico Hülkenberg
Audi
+ 1.308 - Alexander Albon
Williams
+ 1.363 - Oliver Bearman
Haas
+ 1.365 - Max Verstappen
Red Bull
+ 1.376 - Esteban Ocon
Haas
+ 1.399 - Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
+ 1.457 - Carlos Sainz Jr
Williams
