Japanese Grand Prix FP2: Oscar Piastri edges Kimi Antonelli, George Russell in third
F1 NewsFriday, 27 March 2026 at 08:00
McLaren's Oscar Piastri ended the second practice session for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix on top, faster than Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by the slightest of margins as George Russell was third.
McLaren continued their decent form as Piastri clocked a 1:30.133, 0.092s clear of Antonelli in the Mercedes as Russell was two tenths off the pace in third.
However, reigning Formula 1 Champion, Lando Norris, did not have the best of sessions which was cut short due to a hydraulic leak. He managed to finish fourth fastest albeit half a second off the time of his teammate.
Ferrari did not have a clean session with Charles Leclerc fifth fastest, over seven tenths slower than Piastri while teammate Lewis Hamilton was over a tenth further behind in sixth.
Nico Hulkenberg was seventh fastest, 1.3s away from the benchmark while Alex Albon was eighth fastest for Williams.
Oliver Bearman was ninth fastest for Haas as four-time F1 Champion, Max Verstappen, was tenth, a worrying 1.376s off the pace despite the major upgrade Red Bull Racing have brought for their RB22 this weekend.
Buildup towards FP2
It was not surprising to see Mercedes finishing one and two at the end of the first practice session as their dominance is quite clear so far this season as they just picked up from where they left in China.
McLaren, on the other hand, had a better start and were right behind Mercedes while Ferrari were chasing them, but it is still early to make any verdicts.
The reigning Champions are hoping to have a reliable weekend following their nightmare in China and so far they are looking good.
The wind was a factor in FP1 with many drivers being caught at Spoon in particular while the resurfacing for some parts of the track this season (other parts were done last season) is also delivering a challenge for the teams in terms of understanding the tyres.
While Red Bull Racing brought a huge upgrade for this weekend, Verstappen and Hadjar did not look good out there as the team still have work to do to sort out the RB22.
There were quite some incidents out there in FP1 with the stewards having to summon several drivers following the session while others were quite eager to go racing.
THREE 😵 WIDE
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Wait for the heli shot 🎥#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/0QA2Fen949
FP2 Session Highlights
Clear conditions continued over Suzuka when FP2 started with track temperature recording around 34 degrees Celsius as air temperature was 17 degrees.
With the session starting, McLaren were working on Norris' car as they were investigating a hydraulic leak.
However, the other drivers soon made their way back out on track with Alonso now in the car after sitting out FP1 with Jak Crawford driving his AMR26.
🟢 FP2 GREEN LIGHT 🟢
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Second practice gets under way #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/YCMEC2sjIw
Lindblad reported that his upshifts on the gearbox were ok but the downshifts were not working and that he was getting anti-stall so the team asked him to box.
Gasly has a close moment in the pitlane when he was hitting the track as Williams released Albon in his way. Not ideal, but no contact.
Steady! 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Pierre Gasly suddenly has a Williams in his path in the pit lane #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/PP8MCaB4kY
12 minutes into the session, Albon stopped out on track, brought out the Yellow Flag and reported that the throttle wasn't working.
However, he somehow managed to get going again.
Leclerc had a moment at the first part of Spoon with understeer, held it, but then had another moment, oversteer this time in the second part of that corner. He held that as well.
A little moment for Leclerc on the exit of Spoon#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/HTDwHNmlzH
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
20 minutes into the session and Norris was yet to join the action. Perez did not make an appearance either.
Cadillac were doing some work on the floor of the Mexican's car that was damaged following the contact with Albon in FP1.
Things got a little bumpy for Albon and Perez in FP1 😮#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/sj7TiTmJYb
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
After venturing out on track briefly, Bortoleto returned to the pits with a suspected power unit issue with his Audi soon after up on the stands.
With 37 minutes remaining, Norris finally made his way out on the track. Lindblad was also out of his car due to the gearbox issue he reported at the start of the session.
Lando eyeing some FP2 laps 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
The reigning world champ is about to head out on track#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/fmDetHpMwZ
While the drivers started the session on Mediums and Hards, the Soft tyre was soon bolted to the cars before the halfway mark.
Leclerc then had another moment as his Ferrari snapped when on a fast lap on Softs.
The Norris had a hairy moment at Spoon as his MCL40 snapped and he had to go wide into the run-off area to hold it.
He then had a lock up at the chicane at the end of his lap and goes straight.
Big lock up for Lando 😤#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/zcXsLE5xAk
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
With less than ten minutes remaining, Audi finally managed to fix Bortoleto's car and sent him on his way to try and put in some laps before the session ended.
With two minutes remaining, Verstappen had a moment at Spoon, similar to Norris' but on a higher fuel load, so a bit less scary. Norris then went off again at the same place.
Spoon scoops up another driver
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2026
Max Verstappen is the latest to run wide#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Nojb5f8JqK
Hamilton reported that he was very slow because he did not have any confidence in the car.
The session was concluded with the customary practice starts.
Japanese Grand Prix FP2 Classification
Latest News
Loading
