George Russell pipped team-mate Kimi Antonelli to the fastest time of first practice in an early show of Mercedes strength around Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Russell, who leads the championship after the season’s first two races by four points from Antonelli – who won his maiden race last time out in China – clocked a best time of 1:31.666 mid-way through the session on soft tyres with his Italian team-mate 0.026s behind.
But the Silver Arrows’ rivals did not finish too far behind on the timesheet, with McLaren proving their nearest challengers in the first session.
Aiming to bounce back from the disaster that saw neither of their cars take the race start in China, the defending world champions took third with Lando Norris and fourth with Oscar Piastri – who had also failed to start the opening Grand Prix in Australia due to a crash – with both drivers finishing within 0.2s of the Mercedes’.
Ferrari, Mercedes’ nearest challengers at the opening two events, finished fifth and sixth fastest with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton respectively.
Max Verstappen was seventh and 0.7s adrift of Russell, giving an early indication that any hopes of challenging for a fifth successive Japanese GP win for the Red Bull driver this weekend are likely to be a long shot. Team-mate Isack Hadjar, who struggled for brake temperature early on, was 13th.
Red Bull did though use the first session to evaluate the biggest suite of upgrades across the grid this weekend, with the RB22 featuring changes including a new sidepod design and floor. Ferrari have also brought changes to their SF-26, with revisions to its floor and front corner.
Norris, Russell and Leclerc all had off-track moments at the long, curved Spoon corner during the session, while Williams’ Alex Albon tapped the barriers going through the gravel at the second Degner.
Albon then clashed with Cadillac’s Sergio Perez in the closing minutes at the final chicane as the Williams attempted to go down the inside of the Mexican driver, with the two cars making contact.
“Oh my god!” said Perez on team radio. “I had no idea the Williams was next to us. He crashed into me.”
Albon said on Williams team radio: “I don’t think he saw me.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Japanese GP schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard camera at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Friday March 27
4.30am: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
5.45am: Japanese GP Practice Two (session starts at 6am)*
7.15am: The F1 Show*
Saturday March 28
2.15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 2.30am)*
5am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
6am: JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING*
8am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 29
4.30am: Japanese GP build-up – Grand Prix Sunday*
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Japanese GP reaction – Chequered Flag*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads to the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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