2025JapanData

PRACTICE DEBRIEF: Who’s on top and who’s got work to do after a red flag-filled Friday in Suzuka?

F1 Correspondent & PresenterLawrence Barretto
SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 04: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 04: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 04, 2025 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images)

Four red flags made for a disjointed second practice at Japan’s cherry blossom-lined Suzuka circuit on Friday and while reigning world champions McLaren looked most at home on the iconic track’s fast sweeping turns, it was very difficult to get an accurate read on the pecking order…

Crashes, spins and fires limit data gathering

While first practice was pretty smooth, as Lando Norris topped the times and Yuki Tsunoda made a near perfect start to life as a Red Bull driver, the second session did not follow suit.