Piastri sets pace ahead of the Mercedes in Japan
McLaren's Oscar Piastri sets the pace in second practice at the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Apart from the Chinese Grand Prix sprint, McLaren's Oscar Piastri is yet to complete a racing lap in the 2026 season [Getty Images] McLaren's Oscar Piastri set the pace in second practice at the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Piastri ended the first day's running at the classic Suzuka track 0. 092 seconds quicker than Antonelli, who took his maiden grand prix victory in China last time out.
Russell, leading the championship after two races, was 0. 205secs off the pace and 0. 113secs slower than his team-mate.
McLaren's Lando Norris, who missed the first half of the session, was fourth fastest despite a coupe of off-track moments, ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was struggling, complaining of understeer and way off the pace on both short and long runs. The four-time champion was 10th fastest and 1.
376secs off the pace. How to follow Japanese Grand Prix on the BBC Japanese GP Preview: Will Mercedes’ Dominance Continue? Earlier in the day, Russell led Antonelli by 0.