Mercedes topped a tight first practice at Suzuka, with George Russell leading rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. McLaren and Ferrari were close behind, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished a concerning seventh, over seven-tenths off the pace.
Mercedes set the early pace in Japanese GP practice with George Russell leading a 1-2, while Alex Albon's session ended under investigation after a clash with Sergio Perez. Lando Norris recovered to third for McLaren in a disrupted opening hour at Suzuka.
Mercedes locked out the top two spots in Japanese GP practice, with George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli. The major surprise was Red Bull's struggle, as Max Verstappen finished seventh and over seven-tenths off the pace despite running a significant car upgrade, raising immediate questions about their competitiveness.
Honda's F1 chief has suggested Aston Martin's chassis is partly to blame for the severe vibrations affecting their 2026 car, stating the power unit met acceptable levels before integration. This public dispute highlights major technical hurdles for the new works partnership.
First practice for the Japanese Grand Prix is underway at Suzuka, giving teams their first track time to dial in setups on the iconic and demanding circuit under the standard weekend format.
George Russell topped the timesheets in first practice for the Japanese GP, leading a Mercedes one-two with Kimi Antonelli. The session signaled a strong start for Mercedes under the 2026 rules, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished well back in seventh and McLaren's Lando Norris recovered from early issues to take third.
The 2026 F1 season continues at the demanding Suzuka Circuit with the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. Mercedes seeks to maintain its recent winning form, while Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull use the crucial track time to find answers and challenge for the top spots.
F1 legend Mario Andretti voices deep respect for American driver Colton Herta's decision to leave IndyCar for an uncertain Formula 1 pursuit, calling it a sacrifice driven by pure passion. Herta now serves as test driver for Andretti Cadillac while racing in F2 to prove his worth for a future F1 seat.
Liam Lawson is optimistic for the Japanese GP after scoring points in both the Sprint and Grand Prix in China, a track that didn't suit his Racing Bulls car. He highlighted the massive shift in focus for drivers in 2026, from car setup to strategic energy management, which is reshaping how races are run. The result in Shanghai proved the value of flawless execution and reliability for a midfield team.
Max Verstappen ejected a journalist questioning his 2025 title defeat ahead of the Japanese GP, as the FIA moved to limit energy harvesting in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton defended the current racing style, while George Russell clarified Mercedes' front wing issue was a flaw, not an advantage.
Max Verstappen had a journalist removed from a media session in Japan, attributing the action to the reporter's perceived mocking attitude during a tough question in 2023, not the question itself. The incident reveals the fragile nature of driver-media relations in F1.
George Russell leads the F1 standings after Mercedes' dominant start but has criticized rivals for trying to slow them down off-track. He argues it's unfair to challenge their hard-earned advantage so early, amid FIA regulatory whispers and technical intrigue over their car.
