Oscar Piastri he smiled again Formula 1 2026. The Australian pilot McLaren set the best time in the second free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prixthird stop on the calendar, and left positive signs on the emblematic circuit of Suzuki.
Piastri, who has not yet been able to complete a single lap in the race during the first two rounds of the championship in Australia and China, found respite on Japanese territory by stopping the clock at 1:30.133 during Free Practice 2 this Friday.
Piastri beat Antonelli and Russell in Suzuka
The young Australian, considered one of the great candidates to fight for the title along with his teammate Lando Norris, showed solid pace on one of the most demanding routes in the World Championship.
Behind him finished the Italian Kimi Antonelli, one of the great revelations of the beginning of the season, at just 92 thousandths, while the British George Russell closed the top 3 at 205 thousandths.
Norris, current world champion, set the fourth fastest time, although he was more than half a second behind his teammate, on a day in which McLaren left very good feelings.
“It was a good day, we feel like we made good progress, the feeling is positive. We collected valuable data that leaves us in a solid position,” Piastri explained after the session.
McLaren regains confidence after a difficult start
The start of the campaign had not been easy for Piastri, who has not yet been able to make his debut in the race in this 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. However, in Suzuka he showed a much more competitive version and confirmed that McLaren can seriously fight in Japan.
Team boss Andrea Stella highlighted the Australian driver’s mental response after a frustrating start.
“This start to the season has allowed Oscar to test his maturity, his strength and his ability to cope with difficulties,” said the McLaren director.
Even Russell, one of Mercedes’ leaders at the start of the year, admitted that McLaren’s level was striking.
“I think Lando has had a difficult day, but Oscar has been pretty good since the first lap he took this morning when he went out on the track,” commented the Briton.
Ferrari continues to lurk in the Japanese GP
Behind McLaren and Mercedes, Ferrari once again appeared competitive. The Monegasque Charles Leclerc finished in fifth position, while the British Lewis Hamilton was sixth, staying close to the main fight.
The Italian team continues to add consistency at the start of the championship and remains on the lookout for the teams that, for now, set the pace in Suzuka.
Verstappen does not take off and Sainz is out of the top 10
One of the names that still does not find answers is that of Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion finished tenth with his Red Bull, far from the leading records and still without showing the usual forcefulness of previous seasons.
Further back, the Spanish Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, concluded the session in 13th position, while Fernando Alonso, recently a father, was 19th with Aston Martin.
Mexican Sergio Pérez, driving a Cadillac, finished 20th, just behind the Spaniard.
Hülkenberg surprises with Audi; Colapinto and Bortoleto also add kilometers
Another highlight of the day was the performance of the German Nico Hülkenberg, who placed the new Audi in seventh position, a positive sign for a team that is still seeking to consolidate itself on the grid.
Also seeing action were South Americans Franco Colapinto, who finished 17th with Alpine, and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, 16th with Audi.
When is the 2026 Japanese GP qualifying?
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix activity will continue this Saturday with the third free practice session and qualifying:
Free 3: 07:30
Rating: 11:00
Suzuka promises a close battle between McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari, with Piastri as one of the great protagonists of the weekend.
