McLaren Dominates Practice in Japan as Red Flags Disrupt Second Session

McLaren emerged as the team to beat on Friday at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri topping the timesheets in the second practice session, followed closely by teammate Lando Norris, Al Jazeera reports.

However, the session was heavily disrupted by four red flags, including two caused by trackside grass fires, creating chaotic conditions for the drivers.

Australian driver Oscar Piastri, fresh off his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, managed to squeeze in a flying lap of 1 minute, 28.114 seconds between the late stoppages, securing the fastest time on a sunny but cool day at the iconic Suzuka circuit. Lando Norris, who set the pace in the first practice session, finished second in the afternoon, underlining McLaren’s strong performance.

Racing Bulls’ French rookie Isack Hadjar surprised with the third fastest time, over four-tenths of a second behind Norris.

The significant level of disruption in the second session meant many drivers were unable to complete extended runs, leaving them and their teams with considerable work to do in the final practice session before qualifying on Saturday.

The session was barely seven minutes old when Jack Doohan’s Alpine spun off the track at the first corner, skidded across the gravel trap, and crashed heavily into the wall. The Australian rookie, who had been replaced by reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the first practice, appeared shaken as he was helped away from the wreckage.

Local favorite Yuki Tsunoda, driving for Racing Bulls, showed promising pace, finishing only a tenth of a second behind his teammate and four-time world champion Max Verstappen in fifth place. This was a marked improvement compared to the performance of Liam Lawson, who filled in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo in the first two races of the season.

Dutchman Max Verstappen, championship leader, voiced concerns about understeer during the second session, ultimately finishing eighth fastest, more than half a second off the pace.

Liam Lawson, back with the Racing Bulls team, managed a 13th fastest time in the opening session but improved to fifth in the second.