Summary

McLaren's Oscar Piastri fastest in Japanese GP second practice
Mercedes' George Russell quickest in FP1 at Suzuka
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Mercedes won opening two races of season
F1 has five-week break coming up after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancellations

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Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna

Report: Piastri sets pace ahead of the Mercedes in Japanpublished at 07:21 GMT 27 March
Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent at Suzuka

Image source, Getty Images
McLaren's Oscar Piastri set the pace in second practice at the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Piastri ended the first day's running at the classic Suzuka track 0.092 seconds quicker than Antonelli, who took his maiden grand prix victory in China last time out.
Russell, leading the championship after two races, was 0.205secs off the pace and 0.113secs slower than his team-mate.
McLaren's Lando Norris, who missed the first half of the session, was fourth fastest despite a coupe of off-track moments, ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Read the full report here
FP3 and qualifying from 02:15 GMT on Saturdaypublished at 07:20 GMT 27 March

This would be a great turnaround for Oscar Piastri if he was able to muscle in on the front of the grid after failing to start the opening two races of the season.
Kimi Antonelli was quicker than his team-mate George Russell in second practice and no doubt the two Mercedes drivers will be the cars to beat in qualifying on Saturday.
If you've spotted anything at Suzuka already that you would like to ask F1 correspondent Andrew Benson about, send your thoughts through at any time of the day using the form here
We'll be back up and running tomorrow while everyone else is still in bed for final practice, so set your alarms for 02:15 GMT if you want to follow along.
The fight for pole position goes green at 06:00.
See you on Saturday!

Listen: Japanese GP Preview: Will Mercedes’ Dominance Continue?published at 07:19 GMT 27 March

Media caption,
Can anyone stop Mercedes as we head to the Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix?
George Russell won in Australia. Kimi Antonelli was victorious in China. Can anyone stop Mercedes at the Japanese Grand Prix?
The 5 Live F1 team talk Suzuka, fun racing and hear from McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
Have a listen to the Chequered Flag podcast on BBC Sounds here
Postpublished at 07:17 GMT 27 March
Jennie Gow
F1 pit-lane reporter at Suzuka

Reliability was a problem for the first two races and I don't expect any different here.

And the restpublished at 07:14 GMT 27 March

11. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
15. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
17 . Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
18. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
22. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - no time
Postpublished at 07:11 GMT 27 March
Abbie Eaton
British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I'll be interested to see if the Ferraris can get on top of their lack of grip. If Lewis Hamilton's car is reacting similarly to Charles Leclerc's onboards are showing, then there's no wonder he's not feeling that confidence.

Top 10published at 07:08 GMT 27 March

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:30.133
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.092
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.205
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.516
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.713
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.847
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.308
8. Alex Albon (Williams) +1.363
9. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +1.365
10. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.376
Chequered flagpublished at 07:03 GMT 27 March

That's Friday practice completed at the Japanese Grand Prix and McLaren's Oscar Piastri sets the pace with a time of 1:30.133 on the soft compound.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli is second, team-mate George Russell is third, world champion Lando Norris comes home in fourth after a tricky session and Charles Leclerc finishes fifth.

Team radio - Hamilton to Ferraripublished at 07:02 GMT 27 March

"I'm very slow because I've got no confidence in the car."
Postpublished at 07:01 GMT 27 March

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is grappling with his Red Bull at Turn 13 and is 10th on the timesheets, sandwiched between the two Haas cars of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is also less than impressed with his Ferrari, which is eight tenths away from the quickest time held by Oscar Piastri.
Image source, Getty Images

Two minutes to gopublished at 06:58 GMT 27 March

Rookie Arvid Lindblad can only sit on the pit wall and watch his Racing Bulls team-mate Liam Lawson and the rest of the pack soak up the final laps of this second practice at Suzuka.
Oscar Piastri is going to top this session ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris fourth and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fifth.
Postpublished at 06:56 GMT 27 March
Jennie Gow
F1 pit-lane reporter at Suzuka

Relieved faces at Audi. It looked like the Audi mechanics have just won a race. Why? Because they've fixed the problem with Bortoleto's car and got him out with 10 minutes left to go, which is a miraculous turn of events

Postpublished at 06:54 GMT 27 March

Lando Norris is banking some qualifying laps on the soft tyre while the rest continue their race runs. The world champion finds a slow-moving Gabriel Bortoleto in his way but avoids any contact with the Audi driver. Norris crosses the line and goes fourth quickest, half a second away from his team-mate Oscar Piastri's best time.
Postpublished at 06:53 GMT 27 March
Harry Benjamin
BBC F1 Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ollie Bearman is really putting Esteban Ocon in the shade and I think Ocon could be one of those drivers fighting for a career in F1 at the end of the season if he doesn't start to outpace Bearman, both in qualifying and the race.

Postpublished at 06:51 GMT 27 March

F1 dads following along today, what's the most adrenaline-fuelled thing you did after the birth of your first child?
Race simulations are taking place now and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto is jumping back in the car for the last 10 minutes of the session. The mechanics are giving each other well-deserved high fives.
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 06:49 GMT 27 March
Select the 'Get Involved' button to have your say

Stuart: Re: Slowing down as a new father... Silverstone, 1985 - Keke Rosberg's 160mph then-record qualifying lap came when Nico was 23 days old...

Postpublished at 06:46 GMT 27 March

Remember the clocks go forward on Sunday, folks. The race in Japan starts at 06:00 BST, so make sure you set your alarms.
Lando Norris is making his way towards the chicane at Suzuka but a big lock-up forces the reigning world champion off the track. He gingerly rejoins the action and then returns to the McLaren garage after six laps on these medium tyres.
Wheatley leaves Audi after two racespublished at 06:45 GMT 27 March

Image source, Getty Images
Two races down, one team principal already out of a job.
Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley left with immediate effect last week for "personal reasons", according to an team statement.
The 58-year-old Englishman has been approached by Aston Martin to become their team principal.
Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll wants Wheatley to run the race team under managing technical partner Adrian Newey.
Wheatley joined Audi a year ago and has been based at its chassis headquarters in Hinwil in Switzerland. Among the reasons for his desire to move on is said to be the appeal of a return to the UK.
For Audi, Mattia Binotto will take on the responsibilities of team principal in addition to his role as head of its F1 project.

Norris moves to P6published at 06:41 GMT 27 March

The medium tyre is bolted on for Lando Norris and after the wind pushes him wide at the entry of Spoon, the world champion lifts his McLaren to sixth on the timesheets.
Lewis Hamilton is a soft runner and goes for another flyer in the Ferrari. The seven-time world champion is fifth on the board and stays there after his latest attempt. He does inch a tiny bit closer to Oscar Piastri at the top but he's still more than eight tenths away from the Australian's best marker.
Image source, Getty Images
Top fivepublished at 06:40 GMT 27 March

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:30.133
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.092
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.205
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.713
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +1.007

2026 Japanese Grand Prix

3rd Practice

Suzuka, 28 March 2026, 02:30

Rank	Driver	Number	Fastest Lap	Laps
1	Kimi Antonelli Mercedes	12	1:29.362	18
2	George Russell Mercedes	63	1:29.616	18
3	Charles Leclerc Ferrari	16	1:30.229	20
4	Oscar Piastri McLaren	81	1:30.364	19
5	Lewis Hamilton Ferrari	44	1:30.383	23
6	Lando Norris McLaren	1	1:30.600	13
7	Nico Hulkenberg Audi	27	1:30.658	21
8	Max Verstappen Red Bull	3	1:30.910	22
9	Gabriel Bortoleto Audi	5	1:31.000	21
10	Pierre Gasly Alpine	10	1:31.082	20
11	Isack Hadjar Red Bull	6	1:31.094	21
12	Liam Lawson Racing Bulls	30	1:31.097	21
13	Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls	41	1:31.288	17
14	Esteban Ocon Haas	31	1:31.326	22
15	Oliver Bearman Haas	87	1:31.558	18
16	Alexander Albon Williams	23	1:31.733	20
17	Franco Colapinto Alpine	43	1:31.759	25
18	Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams	55	1:31.829	26
19	Valtteri Bottas Cadillac	77	1:32.503	20
20	Sergio Perez Cadillac	11	1:32.540	18
21	Lance Stroll Aston Martin	18	1:33.485	19
22	Fernando Alonso Aston Martin	14	1:33.529	14

Last updated 28th March 2026 at 03:46

Second Practice

Suzuka, 27 March 2026, 06:00

Rank	Driver	Number	Fastest Lap	Laps
1	Oscar Piastri McLaren	81	1:30.133	29
2	Kimi Antonelli Mercedes	12	1:30.225	28
3	George Russell Mercedes	63	1:30.338	29
4	Lando Norris McLaren	1	1:30.649	17
5	Charles Leclerc Ferrari	16	1:30.846	28
6	Lewis Hamilton Ferrari	44	1:30.980	27
7	Nico Hulkenberg Audi	27	1:31.441	27
8	Alexander Albon Williams	23	1:31.496	30
9	Oliver Bearman Haas	87	1:31.498	28
10	Max Verstappen Red Bull	3	1:31.509	29
11	Esteban Ocon Haas	31	1:31.532	30
12	Liam Lawson Racing Bulls	30	1:31.590	31
13	Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams	55	1:31.608	30
14	Pierre Gasly Alpine	10	1:31.734	29
15	Isack Hadjar Red Bull	6	1:31.759	29
16	Gabriel Bortoleto Audi	5	1:31.933	11
17	Franco Colapinto Alpine	43	1:32.438	28
18	Valtteri Bottas Cadillac	77	1:32.615	28
19	Fernando Alonso Aston Martin	14	1:33.596	24
20	Sergio Perez Cadillac	11	1:33.689	14
21	Lance Stroll Aston Martin	18	1:33.951	21
22	Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls	41	not available	1

Last updated 27th March 2026 at 07:10

First Practice

Suzuka, 27 March 2026, 02:30

Rank	Driver	Number	Fastest Lap	Laps
1	George Russell Mercedes	63	1:31.666	27
2	Kimi Antonelli Mercedes	12	1:31.692	26
3	Lando Norris McLaren	1	1:31.798	20
4	Oscar Piastri McLaren	81	1:31.865	23
5	Charles Leclerc Ferrari	16	1:31.955	25
6	Lewis Hamilton Ferrari	44	1:32.040	23
7	Max Verstappen Red Bull	3	1:32.457	27
8	Liam Lawson Racing Bulls	30	1:32.529	27
9	Esteban Ocon Haas	31	1:32.601	23
10	Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls	41	1:32.665	29
11	Gabriel Bortoleto Audi	5	1:32.759	27
12	Nico Hulkenberg Audi	27	1:32.798	26
13	Isack Hadjar Red Bull	6	1:32.803	27
14	Oliver Bearman Haas	87	1:32.900	27
15	Pierre Gasly Alpine	10	1:32.978	25
16	Franco Colapinto Alpine	43	1:33.361	24
17	Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams	55	1:33.383	26
18	Alexander Albon Williams	23	1:33.697	22
19	Sergio Perez Cadillac	11	1:34.221	18
20	Valtteri Bottas Cadillac	77	1:34.490	24
21	Lance Stroll Aston Martin	18	1:35.294	22
22	Jak Crawford Aston Martin	34	1:36.362	11

Last updated 27th March 2026 at 03:38

Qualification

Suzuka, 28 March 2026, 06:00

= Fastest lap

Rank	Driver	Number	Qualifying 1	Qualifying 1	Qualifying 2	Qualifying 2	Qualifying 3	Qualifying 3	Time
1	Kimi Antonelli Mercedes	12	1:30.035	1:30.035	fastest lap 1:29.048	fastest lap 1:29.048	fastest lap 1:28.778	fastest lap 1:28.778	Qualifying 3, fastest lap 1:28.778
2	George Russell Mercedes	63	1:29.967	1:29.967	1:29.686	1:29.686	1:29.076	1:29.076	Qualifying 3, 1:29.076
3	Oscar Piastri McLaren	81	1:30.200	1:30.200	1:29.451	1:29.451	1:29.132	1:29.132	Qualifying 3, 1:29.132
4	Charles Leclerc Ferrari	16	fastest lap 1:29.915	fastest lap 1:29.915	1:29.303	1:29.303	1:29.405	1:29.405	Qualifying 3, 1:29.405
5	Lando Norris McLaren	1	1:30.401	1:30.401	1:29.795	1:29.795	1:29.409	1:29.409	Qualifying 3, 1:29.409
6	Lewis Hamilton Ferrari	44	1:30.309	1:30.309	1:29.589	1:29.589	1:29.567	1:29.567	Qualifying 3, 1:29.567
7	Pierre Gasly Alpine	10	1:30.584	1:30.584	1:29.874	1:29.874	1:29.691	1:29.691	Qualifying 3, 1:29.691
8	Isack Hadjar Red Bull	6	1:30.662	1:30.662	1:30.104	1:30.104	1:29.978	1:29.978	Qualifying 3, 1:29.978
9	Gabriel Bortoleto Audi	5	1:30.359	1:30.359	1:29.990	1:29.990	1:30.274	1:30.274	Qualifying 3, 1:30.274
10	Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls	41	1:30.781	1:30.781	1:30.109	1:30.109	1:30.319	1:30.319	Qualifying 3, 1:30.319
11	Max Verstappen Red Bull	3	1:30.519	1:30.519	1:30.262	1:30.262	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:30.262
12	Esteban Ocon Haas	31	1:30.915	1:30.915	1:30.309	1:30.309	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:30.309
13	Nico Hulkenberg Audi	27	1:30.358	1:30.358	1:30.387	1:30.387	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:30.387
14	Liam Lawson Racing Bulls	30	1:30.657	1:30.657	1:30.495	1:30.495	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:30.495
15	Franco Colapinto Alpine	43	1:30.931	1:30.931	1:30.627	1:30.627	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:30.627
16	Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams	55	1:30.927	1:30.927	1:31.033	1:31.033	not available	not available	Qualifying 2, 1:31.033
17	Alexander Albon Williams	23	1:31.088	1:31.088	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:31.088
18	Oliver Bearman Haas	87	1:31.090	1:31.090	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:31.090
19	Sergio Perez Cadillac	11	1:32.206	1:32.206	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:32.206
20	Valtteri Bottas Cadillac	77	1:32.330	1:32.330	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:32.330
21	Fernando Alonso Aston Martin	14	1:32.646	1:32.646	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:32.646
22	Lance Stroll Aston Martin	18	1:32.920	1:32.920	not available	not available	not available	not available	Qualifying 1, 1:32.920

Last updated 28th March 2026 at 07:04

Race

Suzuka, 29 March 2026, 06:00

= Fastest lap

Rank	Driver	Number	Grid	Fastest Lap	Race Time
1	Kimi Antonelli Mercedes	12	1	not available	no time
2	George Russell Mercedes	63	2	not available	no time
3	Oscar Piastri McLaren	81	3	not available	no time
4	Charles Leclerc Ferrari	16	4	not available	no time
5	Lando Norris McLaren	1	5	not available	no time
6	Lewis Hamilton Ferrari	44	6	not available	no time
7	Pierre Gasly Alpine	10	7	not available	no time
8	Isack Hadjar Red Bull	6	8	not available	no time
9	Gabriel Bortoleto Audi	5	9	not available	no time
10	Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls	41	10	not available	no time
11	Max Verstappen Red Bull	3	11	not available	no time
12	Esteban Ocon Haas	31	12	not available	no time
13	Nico Hulkenberg Audi	27	13	not available	no time
14	Liam Lawson Racing Bulls	30	14	not available	no time
15	Franco Colapinto Alpine	43	15	not available	no time
16	Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams	55	16	not available	no time
17	Alexander Albon Williams	23	17	not available	no time
18	Oliver Bearman Haas	87	18	not available	no time
19	Sergio Perez Cadillac	11	19	not available	no time
20	Valtteri Bottas Cadillac	77	20	not available	no time
21	Fernando Alonso Aston Martin	14	21	not available	no time
22	Lance Stroll Aston Martin	18	22	not available	no time

Last updated 28th March 2026 at 07:05

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