FP1 Report: Russell Leads Mercedes 1-2 as McLaren Show Signs of Life at Suzuka

Mercedes Set the Pace

George Russell set the FP1 benchmark at Suzuka with a 1:31.666, leading team-mate Kimi Antonelli by just 0.026 seconds. Mercedes have topped first practice at every round so far in 2026, and the W17 looked immediately comfortable through Suzuka's demanding high-speed esses.

McLaren's Recovery Begins

After the double DNS nightmare in Shanghai, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivered exactly what McLaren needed: clean running and competitive lap times. Norris was P3 (+0.132s) and Piastri P4 (+0.199s), both within two-tenths of Russell's best — encouraging signs for the reigning Constructors' Champions.

Ferrari Solid

Charles Leclerc (P5, +0.289s) and Lewis Hamilton (P6, +0.374s) were within range but not threatening the top two teams on single-lap pace. The SF-26 has looked more at home on race-simulation runs than qualifying laps, which could play into Ferrari's hands on Sunday.

Verstappen's Struggles

Max Verstappen was P7, 0.791s off Russell's pace — confirming that Red Bull's problems are not circuit-specific. The four-time champion is over seven-tenths slower than the class of the field at every round so far.

Racing Bulls Impress

Liam Lawson (P8, +0.863s) and Arvid Lindblad (P10, +0.999s) both showed well for Racing Bulls, with Lawson in particular looking comfortable at Suzuka.

FP1 Top 10

1. Russell (Mercedes) 1:31.666 · 2. Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.026 · 3. Norris (McLaren) +0.132 · 4. Piastri (McLaren) +0.199 · 5. Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.289 · 6. Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.374 · 7. Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.791 · 8. Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.863 · 9. Ocon (Haas) +0.935 · 10. Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.999