McLaren Puts Mercedes on Notice in Japanese GP FP1

George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 in the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, but McLaren emerged as the closest challenger, signaling a potential shift in the weekend's competitive order. The session, set in the 2026 season context, saw Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finish within a tenth of the Silver Arrows, while Max Verstappen's Red Bull lagged over seven-tenths behind in seventh.

Why it matters:

After a dominant start to the 2026 season, Mercedes faces its first tangible on-track pressure from a resurgent McLaren. The Woking-based team's strong showing, coming just two weeks after a devastating double DNS in China, demonstrates remarkable resilience and pace. This early session sets the stage for a potentially tight battle at the front, challenging the narrative of Mercedes' unchallenged supremacy.

The details:

• Mercedes on top, but challenged: George Russell set the benchmark with a 1:31.666, just 0.026 seconds ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. While they locked out the top two spots, the gap to their rivals was notably smaller than in previous rounds.
• McLaren's strong rebound: Lando Norris (P3, +0.132s) and Oscar Piastri (P4, +0.199s) delivered a statement performance. Their proximity to Mercedes suggests their China woes are behind them and their car is well-suited to the Suzuka circuit's demanding layout.
• Ferrari in the mix: Charles Leclerc (P5) and Lewis Hamilton (P6) slotted in behind the McLarens, representing the third-fastest team but remaining within a second of the lead Mercedes.
• Red Bull off the pace: Max Verstappen could only manage seventh, a significant 0.791 seconds off Russell's pace. This early deficit will be a major concern for the reigning champions as they seek to unlock performance.
• Midfield order: The Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad took P8 and P10, sandwiching the Haas of Esteban Ocon (P9). The new Audi team, with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg, slotted into P11 and P12.

What's next:

FP1 times are rarely representative of true qualifying or race pace, as teams run different programs and fuel loads. However, McLaren's performance sends a clear warning to Mercedes.

• The key question for FP2 and qualifying will be whether Mercedes was holding performance in reserve or if McLaren's challenge is genuine.
• Red Bull has considerable work to do to analyze their lack of single-lap speed and close the gap to the front.
• All eyes will be on the long-run data in FP2 to see which team manages the tricky tyre degradation best at the high-degradation Suzuka circuit.