Under grey skies at Suzuka on 27 March, Formula 1 returned to one of its most demanding circuits, and Friday’s running delivered an early statement: that this weekend is wide open.
In Free Practice 1, Mercedes set the tone, with George Russell leading the run and continuing the team’s dominant start to the 2026 season.
That early pace reinforced the narrative of Mercedes as the benchmark under the new regulations, with both Russell and Kimi Antonelli already gaining valuable early points. However, the setting shifted dramatically in Practice 2.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri surged to the top of the timesheets, frustrating both Mercedes drivers in a tight race. After a difficult start to the season, this was a significant response from McLaren, with both Piastri and Lando Norris.
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reported balance issues that could yet define their weekend if not resolved before the Grand Prix.
Beyond the headline times, the two practices also carried tension and unpredictability. A near-miss incident between Max Verstappen and Hamilton in Practice 1 brought the stewards into play.
This shows not only the drivers but also the audience just how tricky traffic management at Suzuka can be. Red Bull, notably, appears off the pace so far, with Verstappen down the order and still searching for performance.
Further down the grid, emerging teams like Cadillac showed steady progress, focusing on long runs and car balance rather than outright pace, which suggests a strategic approach.
What to expect in the final practice
Looking ahead to Practice 3, Saturday’s session becomes crucial.
We can expect Mercedes to refine their consistency, McLaren to push for outright speed, and Ferrari to experiment aggressively with setup changes.
Suzuka’s technical layout, particularly the high-speed corners, means small adjustments can have a big impact, so the order may still shift before qualifying on 28th March.
Exciting race weekend ahead
Heading into qualifying and race day, the competitive picture suggests a three-way fight. Mercedes holds the edge in consistency, McLaren appears to have rediscovered new pace, and Ferrari remains fighting to finish with valuable points.
With Suzuka’s historically rewarding track position and clean air, Saturday’s qualifying could be decisive.
If current trends continue, expect a tightly contested front row and a strategic race, with tyre management and overtaking opportunities defining the outcome.
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Written by Lucy Armour.