Oscar Piastri ends an incident free Free Practice Two at the top of the timesheets at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
After a difficult start to the season, Piastri led Kimi Antonelli and George Russell around Suzuka. His teammate, Norris was able to slot into fourth while both Ferraris were forced to settle for fifth and sixth in the final Friday session.
So Far This Weekend…
On Thursday, the FIA announced a small modification to the energy cap for Qualifying at this Grand Prix. The FIA, all 11 Formula 1 teams and the Power Unit manufacturers held talks regarding energy deployment following feedback from the drivers. The power unit manufacturers, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda, unanimously agreed to a reduction of the maximum permitted energy recharge for Qualifying at Suzuka from 9 to 8 megajoules.
Mercedes’ George Russell set the pace in the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. Behind him, his teammate Kimi Antonelli slotted into second, while reigning World Champion Lando Norris settling for third. Oscar Piastri slotted into fourth. Piastri will be looking to bounce back after a difficult start to the season, as the Australian failed to start in both Melbourne and Shanghai. With only three tenths separating the top five, the gap between teams is starting to shrink.
In the final minutes of FP1, Alex Albon was spun after a bump with the Cadillac of Sergio Perez. Both drivers heading into the same corner and caused some debris to spread across the track. Following the incident, Perez claimed he had no idea the Williams was there.
Green Flags at Suzuka
The green flag was out a the cars were out onto Suzuka Circuit for FP2. Mercedes was the first team at the top of the timesheet, however, it was Red Bull who started to find form. Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen slotted into third and fourth respectively.
However, as the first 10 minutes ticked over, the times started to drop. Oscar Piastri shot up to the top of the timesheets, with a 1:31.067, one tenth ahead of Antonelli. While behind them, Alex Albon brought out a brief yellow flag after coming to a stop on track.
Mercedes struggled to meet the times of both Piastri and Charles Leclerc, as the order started to shuffle. However, after 15 minutes of FP2, Lando Norris, Gabriel Bortoleto and Sergio Perez had all failed to make it on track. Arvid Lindblad, had also not yet set a time, as the rookie was called back into the pits after the first few minutes
Halfway through Free Practice 2
With 30 minutes remaining in Free Practice Two, it was Piastri who reclaimed the top of the timesheet after a stint in the pits. Piastri led both Mercedes and both Ferraris to round out the top five. On the other end of the timesheet, Audi’s struggles went from bad to worse. Ffter loosing Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley to Aston Martin last week, they now struggled to get Bortoleto’s car on track.
Back on track, Lando Norris was finally able to set a time in the second practice session. After his first run on soft tyres, the reigning World Champion was able to jump up to sixth in the timings. Over 1.2 seconds behind his teammate, Norris continued on track, while most of the grid was back in the pits.
With only 15 minutes remaining in the session, it was Cadillac and Aston Martin who, once again, were last amongst the time setters. With both teams over two seconds off the pace, they will be looking forward to the extended April break to make respective developments.
Piastri Holds in Final Ten Minutes
With only ten minutes remaining in the Friday sessions, Bortoleto was able to make his way onto the track. The Brazilian driver jumped up to 16th after completing his first flying lap. Ferrari has been the clear second team on track in 2026, however McLaren have started to show their speed this weekend. Norris surpassed both Ferraris to jump into fourth with only six minutes remaining.
With only a few minutes remaining in FP2, it was Verstappen who ran wide at the spoon in his flying lap. The Red Bull driver, who sat in tenth, was forced to abandon his lap. A minute later, Norris also ran wide in the same corner, abandoning his final lap.
As the checkered flag drew on qualifying it was Piastri who led his second session of the season. With Antonelli and Russell both unable to reach Piastri’s time, the Australian finished 0.092 seconds clear. While Norris sealed fourth, Leclerc led Hamilton. In seventh, Nico Hulkenburg held off Albon. Oliver Bearman continued his impressive start to the season slotting into ninth, ahead of Verstappen.
Finishing over a second and a half ahead of Russell’s FP1 time, Piastri will be looking to keep this momentum into Saturday.
F1 returns on Saturday at 2:30am GMT for Free Practice Three, while Qualifying is at 6am GMT.
Feature Image Credit: Formula 1