Japanese Grand Prix FP1: Mercedes on top, George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli
F1 NewsThursday, 26 March 2026 at 18:07
George Russell topped the first practice session for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix with teammate Kimi Antonelli second fastest as McLaren emerged as best of the rest.
While it is still early to judge, but it was an encouraging sign for the reigning Formula 1 Champions who did not even manage to start the previous race in China.
Russell posted a 1:31.666, compared to the 1:28.549 posted by Lando Norris in the opening practice session at Suzuka in 2025.
Moving on, Antonelli was second fastest, just 0.026s off the pace of his teammate and over a tenth clear of Norris who was third fastest in the McLaren after early issues in the session.
Oscar Piastri was fourth fastest in the sister McLaren, two tenths off the pace with the Ferrari duo, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively.
Max Verstappen was seventh fastest in the heavily upgraded Red Bull RB22 almost eight tenths off the pace with Liam Lawson eighth fastest for the Red Bull junior team.
Esteban Ocon was ninth fastest in the Godzilla-liveried Haas while Arvid Lindblad completed the top ten for Racing Bulls.
It was an action-packed session with several driver having off moments, contact, and mini races happening.
Buildup towards FP1
Before an unexpected long break, F1 goes racing at the iconic Suzuka, both a fan and driver favorite as the Japanese Grand Prix weekend gets underway.
Being a classic track with high power demands and fast corners that should typically test both man and machine, this visit to Suzuka may turn out to be a bit different with the new cars and their deprived power units.
To make sure a qualifying lap doesn't lose its glamor, especially at Suzuka, the FIA announced changes to the power unit regulations for qualifying only - the racing is perfect as it is - which means the battery won't need to charge as much in order to avoid the dreaded super-clipping.
However that would mean the cars will have less power overall...
Mercedes will look to continue their dominance, but their front wing is now under scrutiny as it has been revealed that it closes in two stages which may be in violation of the rules.
The first stage of closing happens within the mandated 0.4s with another 0.4s of so needed to get it fully shut. A design meant to avoid sudden change front load with the consequent lack of stability.
Ferrari have been working hard over the past two weeks to extract more performance from their package while McLaren will be aiming to at least start the race with both their cars this time.
Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix in 2025 but would need a miracle to do that this time around with the current Red Bull package at his disposal.
On another note, can Aston Martin complete a race distance this time as Honda go racing in front of their home crowds?
Pirelli have brought their hardest compounds this weekend as the tyres take a beating around Suzuka.
FP1 Session highlights
The session started in clear conditions with track temperatures at 35 degrees Celsius while air temperature was 16 degrees.
Some teams brought upgrades to Japan with Red Bull having a revised engine inlet, revised engine cover (Coke body), revised floor and revised rear brake ducts for the specific track cooling requirement.
Ferrari had a revised front brake ducts as well as a revised floor body while Williams had a revised front suspension.
Aston Martin had a revised front wing, front wing endplate, and a revised floor body with Haas bringing a new front wing.
Alpine have a revised front deflector, revised rear wing and a rear wing endplate on the A526, while Cadillac had a revised diffuser and a diffuser fence on their car.
The drivers lined up in the pitlane waiting for the green light at the end with both Audi's at the head of the queue.
We have a green light in the pit lane!
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix weekend is GO 🟢#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/mAIs8miOGs
Some of the cars had aero rakes on them with drivers heading out on a mix of Medium and Hard tyres.
Isack Hadjar was complaining about cool brakes and that the car was pulling. He soon after reported the situation was better.
Norris completed one untimed lap and was straight back into the McLaren garage with some work commencing on his MCL40.
Verstappen, with flow-vis on RB22, had a moment at the chicane but held it well.
Max has a moment heading into the chicane #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/4cOuTCMwp8
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Red Bull were doing back to back tests on two different front wing versions.
Less than 30 minutes into the session, Mercedes was the first team to send their drivers out on the Soft tyre. other drivers soon followed suit.
Russell soon pointed out that the wind was picking up. He soon ran wide over the kerbs at Spoon and radioed: "That was a big moment."
Alex Albon soon after that had a huge moment at the exit of Degner 2, and ran through the gravel lightly tapping the barrier.
⏪ Rewind to Albon finding the gravel and tapping the barriers at Degner 2#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/RzxKR5uOPj
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Norris had a moment as well in Spoon as well which was also the case for Lindblad.
Spoon was catching out several drivers as Leclerc and Lawson also having an issue their.
Spoon Curve is catching a few drivers out 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Russell, Lindblad and Lawson all running wide #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/WYmpOoR9PB
Albon then had contact with Sergio Perez in the Cadillac in the final chicane causing some considerable damage to both car.
Perez radioed to his team that he did not know the Thai driver was there.
The drivers didn't seem to realize it was just practice as Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, and Piastri ran three wide into Turn 1.
Luckily no paint was exchanged at this instant.
Three wide into Turn 1... and it's only FP1 😱#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/PNNbbu2Z7r
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
The session was concluded with practice starts.
Japanese Grand Prix FP1 Classification
Read also
Latest News
Loading
