2026 F1 Japanese GP Practice: Mercedes Lead FP1 While McLaren Strike Back in FP2
The 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice sessions delivered an exciting and unpredictable start to the Suzuka weekend, with Mercedes and McLaren trading blows across Friday’s running. From a dominant Silver Arrows performance in FP1 to a McLaren resurgence in FP2, the early signs suggest this could be one of the most competitive race weekends of the season.
Teams arrived in Japan looking to build on recent developments, with several bringing upgrades and experimental setups. With Suzuka’s high-speed corners and technical demands, the data gathered during the 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice sessions could prove crucial for both qualifying and race day.
Mercedes dominate FP1 at Suzuka
The opening 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice session saw Mercedes set the benchmark, locking out the top two positions. George Russell led the way with a 1:31.666, narrowly ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, who continued his strong form following his recent victory in China.
Ferrari initially showed promise, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc trading early fastest laps. However, as the session progressed and drivers switched to soft tyres, Mercedes pulled clear, suggesting strong one-lap pace heading into qualifying.
McLaren also showed encouraging signs despite recent struggles. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured third and fourth respectively, hinting that they could be in contention if they continue to improve throughout the weekend.
There were several incidents during FP1, including moments of oversteer for multiple drivers and a collision between Alex Albon and Sergio Perez. These highlighted the tricky nature of Suzuka, where even small mistakes can have major consequences.
McLaren respond in FP2 with Piastri on top
The second 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice session flipped the narrative, with Oscar Piastri putting McLaren at the top of the timesheets. His 1:30.133 lap edged out both Antonelli and Russell, signalling a potential shift in the competitive order.
This performance will raise an important question for the weekend. Can McLaren finally become a genuine threat at Suzuka?
Lando Norris also showed improved pace in FP2, finishing fourth despite a delayed start to the session. Combined with Piastri’s strong lap, it suggests McLaren may have found a better balance in their car compared to earlier races.
Meanwhile, Mercedes remained consistent with both drivers in the top three again, indicating that their pace is not limited to a single session. Ferrari continued to sit just behind the leading teams, while Red Bull struggled to match the front runners.
FP2 was not without drama either. Technical issues affected several drivers, including Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad, while incidents involving Max Verstappen and Franco Colapinto are set to be reviewed by stewards.
Key takeaways from Friday practice
The 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice sessions revealed several important trends that could shape the rest of the weekend:
- Mercedes have strong one-lap pace and consistency across both sessions
- McLaren showed a significant step forward in FP2, with Piastri leading
- Ferrari remain competitive but slightly off the leading pace
- Red Bull appear to be struggling compared to their usual standards
- Suzuka’s challenging layout is catching out multiple drivers
These factors suggest that qualifying could be far tighter than expected, with multiple teams fighting for pole position.
Can McLaren turn practice pace into race performance?
One of the biggest talking points from the 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice sessions is McLaren’s potential resurgence. While they showed promise in FP1, their performance in FP2 has raised expectations significantly.
However, strong practice pace does not always translate into race success. McLaren will need to maintain consistency, manage tyre degradation, and execute a clean qualifying session to truly challenge Mercedes at the front.
Mercedes, on the other hand, look well-balanced and reliable. With both Russell and Antonelli performing at a high level, they remain the team to beat heading into the next sessions.
As teams analyse their data overnight, the stage is set for an exciting battle at Suzuka. If McLaren can build on their FP2 performance, the 2026 F1 Japanese GP practice sessions may have already given us a glimpse of a thrilling fight for victory.
