Russell: No idea what to expect Saturday in the dry

Russell lead teammate Lewis Hamilton in the second practice session at Suzuka, but struggled earlier with getting his tyres into the operating window, something he and the team where able to rectify between sessions, hence the better showing in FP2.

"It is always nice to end the day top of the time sheets, and it was a decent improvement from FP1 when we were pretty much at the bottom," Russell said after practice.

"The wet conditions today were probably not that representative for the rest of the weekend," he admitted, "but it was a good learning opportunity for the future.

"It's important to understand things like the tyre crossover from wet to intermediate, and even if that doesn't pay dividends this weekend, it will in the future," the young Briton insisted.

"It's amazing to be back here in Suzuka - the circuit is so iconic, one of the best in the world, and the first sector is just a joy to drive because it is so fast and flowing.

"I've no idea what to expect tomorrow in the dry - we will be battling for the top six positions, and hopefully we have a shot at something better than that. Let's wait and see," Russell concluded.

Hamilton, who was second fastest behind Russell in FP2 admits to gathering some knowlege but is wary of Ferrari and Red Bull come Saturday, as the conditions are expected to dry out.

He said in Mercedes' post practice report: "It's been a very chilled day! It's been grey and wet, with a little bit of running, but we expect different conditions for the rest of the weekend.

"There's always something useful to learn on set-up, tyre wear and temperatures, as well as moving around the car balance between the sessions - plus we get data on our competitors, too," he added. "And it was positive in second practice that we could switch the tyres on today.

"This track is just beautiful to drive and it's great to see the fans here again - and it will be even more fun in the dry," the seven-time Formula 1 Champion pointed out.

"When you do your first lap of the weekend, it's always special to think of all the legends that have been here; then you come up to the last chicane or turn one, thinking of Senna and Prost, and you realise what a privilege it is to drive at a place that has had so much history.

"Looking to tomorrow, I don't really know what to expect. I guess Ferrari and Red Bull will be rapid, and I hope that we are fast too - like I do each week" Hamilton concluded.