The final practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix is running at Suzuka, providing teams one last opportunity to optimize car setups before qualifying. With its challenging, high-speed layout, this hour is vital for drivers to find rhythm and for engineers to confirm strategic choices ahead of the decisive fight for grid positions.
McLaren is scrambling to fix an ERS problem on Lando Norris's car, likely forcing him to miss the important FP3 session at Suzuka. This setback adds to the driver's troubled weekend and follows a power unit issue that caused a DNS in China.
Red Bull's public handling of a media clash involving Max Verstappen in Japan has sparked criticism, revealing a potential rift. The team's decision to publicly signal a reprimand, rather than firmly back its star driver, marks a shift from its traditionally protective culture and risks damaging the crucial trust with the four-time champion.
For the Japanese GP, F1 has cut the energy drivers can harvest in qualifying by 1MJ, targeting 'super clipping.' This forces teams to strategically deploy their limited energy on Suzuka's straights, adding a complex layer to an already demanding, low-energy circuit where throttle management in fast corners becomes key.
Ahead of the Japanese GP, Lewis Hamilton surprised local car enthusiasts by arriving at a Yokohama meet in a rare Ferrari F40. He spent his weekend immersing himself in Japanese car culture and even took a samurai lesson, highlighting his deep appreciation for the country's traditions and automotive scene.
Red Bull's dramatic performance drop has continued in Japan, with Max Verstappen struggling for pace and grip. The team admits it doesn't fully understand the car's unpredictable behavior, marking a stark contrast to their recent dominant years.
Friday practice at the Japanese GP revealed a three-pronged story: McLaren showed surprising pace to challenge Mercedes in qualifying, Max Verstappen's father voiced concerns about his son's fading motivation amid Red Bull's struggles, and shocking telemetry exposed extreme 'super-clipping' issues causing massive speed losses for drivers at Suzuka.
Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford impressed in his F1 practice debut at Suzuka, quickly getting up to speed at a new circuit. The American, substituting for Fernando Alonso, highlighted how his simulator work directly translated to the track, providing valuable data for the team.
Red Bull's chief engineer admits the team's Friday practice performance at Suzuka fell short of its own and Max Verstappen's high standards, citing handling issues despite a major upgrade package. The team is now racing to fix the car's balance problems before qualifying.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies promises a swift fix for the team's 'fundamental' car issues after Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar endured a frustrating Friday in Japan, with the RB22 lagging far behind its rivals and still not fully understood by its engineers.
Oscar Piastri topped second practice for the Japanese GP, narrowly beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and signaling a tightly packed qualifying battle under F1's 2026 rules. The session revealed a close fight between Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, setting the stage for a critical Saturday at Suzuka where dry conditions are forecast.
Honda reports progress on the severe vibration issues with its Aston Martin power unit after collecting "useful data" at the Japanese GP. However, the team's core problem of a drastic lack of pace remains unresolved, leaving the car uncompetitive at the back of the grid.
