Japanese Grand Prix 2026 Practice 1: Russell Tops Suzuka Session As Mercedes Shine
The first practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix 2026 at Suzuka saw Mercedes stamping early authority in the F1 season. George Russell set the benchmark lap, finishing ahead of rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli by a small margin. Both drivers maximised soft tyre runs before switching to harder compounds. Meanwhile, McLaren bounced back after a double disqualification in the Chinese GP, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing third and fourth, respectively. Ferrari locked out fifth and sixth, while Red Bull's Sergio Perez struggled in the early stages.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car into the pit during the second practice session Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain drives his car during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steer their car during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, left, and Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steer their car during the second practice session of Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain drives into the pit during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy powers his car during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto of Argentina steers his car during the second practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France drives out of his team garage during the first practice session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
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