2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix - Friday Practice Results

George Russell headed a Mercedes 1-2 in first practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, McLaren showing pace in third and fourth. 

Mercedes continued its fine start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with a commanding display in F1, as Russell and Antonelli set their soft tyre times early on before focusing on long runs on both the soft and hard options.

McLaren enjoyed an improved showing after a double DNS at the Chinese Grand Prix. Lando Norris bounced back from a slow start to the session that saw him confined to the garage for around 15 minutes, to go third and 0.132s off the 1m31.666s benchmark, with Oscar Piastri close behind.

Ferrari locked out the next two positions, with Charles Leclerc holding a narrow advantage over Lewis Hamilton. 

Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon and Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10. 

The main flashpoint of the session came towards the end of the hour, as Alex Albon attempted a pass on Sergio Perez's Cadillac into the final chicane. Failing to spot the Williams driver, Perez continued with his normal line and contact was made, forcing Albon back to the pits with damage. 

Showing how passing should be done in practice, Leclerc then went three-wide with Pierre Gasly and Oscar Piastri into Turn 1. While wheels came a little too close to comfort for those on the pit wall, contact was avoided, as a thrilling taste of what could be in store on Sunday was put on full display. 

Aston Martin once again sat at the foot of the table, with Fernando Alonso's stand-in, Jak Crawford, being pipped in the closing moments by Lance Stroll for 21st place.