Japanese GP 2026: McLaren Outpace Mercedes as Piastri Tops Practice at Suzuka

McLaren have shown a significant step forward at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri topping the second practice session at Suzuka on Friday.

Piastri set the pace with a 1:30.133, finishing just 0.092 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and 0.205 seconds clear of championship leader George Russell, who had topped the earlier session.

The result marks a major shift for the reigning constructors’ champions, who have struggled to match Mercedes’ dominant start to the 2026 season. Russell and Antonelli have secured one-two finishes in both qualifying sessions and races so far this year.

Defending world champion Lando Norris was fourth despite losing significant track time due to a hydraulic leak, completing just 16 laps during the session.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished behind both McLarens, suggesting the Suzuka circuit layout may not suit the SF-26 as well as the opening venues.

The FIA has also made a notable technical change for qualifying, reducing the maximum permitted energy recharge per lap from 9.0MJ to 8.0MJ. Suzuka, like Melbourne’s Albert Park, is classified as an energy-starved circuit, meaning cars need to harvest significant amounts of energy per lap under the new 2026 regulations.

Qualifying takes place on Saturday morning at 6:00 AM UK time, with the race on Sunday at the same time — both adjusted for the clocks going forward to BST.