Mercedes Dominates Early Practice at Suzuka
George Russell clinched the fastest time during the initial practice session, showcasing Mercedes’ competitive edge ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Russell, currently leading the championship with a four-point margin over teammate Kimi Antonelli, recorded a best lap of 1 minute 31.666 seconds on soft tires. Notably, he was just 0.026 seconds behind Antonelli, who is fresh off his first victory in China.
McLaren Provides Stiff Competition
While the Mercedes duo set impressive times, their competitors were not far behind. McLaren emerged as a significant rival, with defending world champion Lando Norris finishing in third place and Oscar Piastri close behind in fourth. Both drivers sought redemption after a dismal race in China, where their vehicles failed to start. They concluded the session within 0.2 seconds of the Mercedes drivers, indicating their strong performance.
Ferrari, Red Bull and the Rest
Ferrari, having been one of Mercedes’ closest competitors in the opening two races, secured fifth and sixth positions with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, respectively. Max Verstappen placed seventh, lagging 0.7 seconds behind Russell. This early performance raises doubts about Red Bull’s prospects of achieving a fifth consecutive victory at the Japanese GP. Meanwhile, Izak Hajar struggled with brake temperatures in his sister car, finishing in thirteenth place.
Evaluating Upgrades Across the Grid
During the session, Red Bull took the opportunity to test out a comprehensive suite of upgrades rolled out across the grid this weekend. The RB22’s modifications included a revised floor and sidepod designs, aimed at enhancing performance. Ferrari also implemented changes to their SF-26, focusing on the floor and front corners. In contrast, Mercedes and McLaren opted to retain their aerodynamic package from Shanghai.
Stewardship Battle: Albon and Perez Collide
The practice session took place under warm, sunny conditions, but it wasn’t without incidents. Norris, Russell, and Leclerc all ventured off the track at the notorious Spoon Corner. Williams’ Alex Albon faced a mishap as he hit the barriers after losing control in the second Degner gravel. In a later incident, Albon collided with Cadillac’s Sergio Perez at the final chicane, sending debris onto the track. Both drivers were investigated post-session for the incident.
Racing Bulls and Aston Martin’s Performance
The Racing Bulls team enjoyed a solid start, with Liam Lawson finishing eighth and Arvid Lindblad rounding out the top ten alongside Haas’s Esteban Ocon in ninth. Fernando Alonso’s return to the track was delayed due to personal matters, resulting in reserve driver Jack Crawford taking over. Unfortunately, Crawford completed only 11 laps due to car damage. Alonso aims to bridge the 0.8-second gap that Aston Martin sits behind Cadillac going into the next practice session.
Japanese GP Practice 1 Time Sheet
1) George Russell (Mercedes) 1:31.666
2) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.026
3) Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.132
4) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.199
5) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.289
6) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.374
7) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.791
8) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.863
9) Esteban Ocon (Haas) +0.935
10) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.999
11) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.093
12) Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.132
13) Isaac Hajar (Red Bull) +1.137
14) Oliver Bearman (Haas) +1.234
15) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.312
16) Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +1.695
17) Carlos Sainz (Williams) +1.717
18) Alex Albon (Williams) +2.031
19) Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +2.555
20) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +2.824
21) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +3.628
22) Jack Crawford (Aston Martin) +4.696
Upcoming Schedule for the Japanese GP
Friday, March 27th
4:30 am: Team boss press conference
5:45 am: Japanese GP Practice 2 (session starts at 6 am)
7:15 am: F1 Show
Saturday, March 28th
2:15 am: Japanese GP Practice 3 (session starts at 2:30 am)
5:00 am: Japanese GP qualifying build-up
6:00 am: Japanese GP Qualifying
8:00 am: Ted’s Qualification Notes
Sunday, March 29th
4:30 am: Preparations for the Japanese Grand Prix – Grand Prix Sunday
6:00 am: Japanese Grand Prix
8:00 am: Japanese GP reaction – checkered flag
9:00 am: Ted’s Notes
All events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, allowing fans to experience the excitement of the iconic Suzuka Circuit this weekend.
