Suzuka Shake-up: Piastri Upsets Mercedes Dominance to Lead Friday Practice in Japan
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Oscar Piastri surprises the paddock by topping the Friday practice sessions at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren’s FP2 performance is a shot in the arm for the Woking squad, which had a troubled start to the 2026 season with electrical issues in Australia and China. Piastri showed impressive top speed on the main straight, suggesting that the energy mapping of the McLaren/Mercedes engine is finally being mastered by the engineers. Lando Norris also posted a solid pace, finishing fourth, cementing McLaren as a genuine threat for tomorrow’s qualifying.
In the Mercedes garage, the mood remains confident despite losing the top spot late in the day. George Russell, who was fastest in the morning, focused FP2 on high-fuel race simulations. The German team seems to be prioritizing tire durability, as the Suzuka asphalt is more abrasive than expected. Kimi Antonelli, the winner of the last race in China, continues to show rapid adaptation, finishing just 0.092s behind Piastri’s time.
The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupied fifth and sixth positions, respectively. The Scuderia appears to be in a "shadow zone," not chasing extreme lap times but maintaining enviable consistency in the technical sectors. Leclerc reported over the radio that the car's balance in the "S" curves is better than in Melbourne, suggesting Ferrari might have an ace up its sleeve for Q3.
Friday’s biggest disappointment was Red Bull Racing. Max Verstappen ended the day only in 10th position, complaining of a lack of grip and an unstable balance in the RB22. The three-time world champion faced a technical scare in FP2 when the engine had a minor software glitch, forcing him back to the pits early. Red Bull seems to be struggling to adapt its aerodynamic concept to Suzuka's demands in 2026, trailing even Nico Hülkenberg’s Audi.
Speaking of Audi, the German team had a day of highs and lows. While Hülkenberg shone with the 7th fastest time, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto faced technical difficulties that limited his track time in FP2, ending up 16th. However, Bortoleto managed to return in the final minutes for critical installation laps. The team is now racing against the clock to analyze telemetry data and ensure the Brazilian’s car is 100% for qualifying.
Williams also showed signs of progress with Alex Albon finishing 8th, ahead of several big names. The British team seems to have found an efficient setup for the 130R corner, where Albon was one of the few not to lift during qualifying simulations. Carlos Sainz, his teammate, had a quieter day, focusing on collecting aerodynamic data with colored flo-vis paint on the rear wing.
A curious incident marked FP1: Sergio Pérez, now at Cadillac, collided with Albon’s Williams in a communication mix-up at the pit exit. The incident cost valuable track time for both drivers and will be investigated by stewards. Cadillac, though a newcomer, has shown a decent development pace, but operational errors like this still prevent the team from consistently fighting for points.
Weather conditions in Suzuka were perfect this Friday, with clear skies and mild temperatures. However, forecasts indicate that the wind might shift direction on Saturday, which would completely change car behavior at the entry of the Degner corner. Strategists are poreing over weather models, as in 2026, with cars so dependent on active aero, crosswinds are a decisive factor for stability.
With Piastri leading and the Mercedes close behind, tomorrow’s qualifying promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent times. Can McLaren sustain this pace under the pressure of the clock, or was Mercedes just hiding their true hand? The 2026 Japanese GP is just beginning, and the technological battle on Japanese soil has already reached boiling point. Grid News F1 will bring all the details live.
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