George Russell Leads Mercedes 1-2 in Japanese Grand Prix Practice

George Russell secured the fastest time in the first practice session for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, clocking a lap of 1:31.666. He narrowly edged out his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished just 0.026 seconds behind. This performance underscores Mercedes' strong start to the season, having already claimed victories in the previous two races in Australia and China.

Japanese Grand Prix FP1: Mercedes on top, George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli

The session commenced under clear conditions, with drivers initially using hard compound tires. Russell and Antonelli quickly established themselves at the top of the timesheet, trading fastest laps as they switched to softer tires. Lando Norris of McLaren finished third, 0.132 seconds off Russell's pace, while his teammate Oscar Piastri was fourth, 0.199 seconds behind.

Russell leads Mercedes 1-2 in opening Japanese GP practiceF1 Japanese GP: George Russell leads Kimi Antonelli by 0.026s in FP1Japanese GP: George Russell leads Mercedes 1-2 in FP1 with Lando Norris close behindJapanese Grand Prix FP1: Mercedes on top, George Russell leading Kimi AntonelliJapanese GP: George Russell just fastest from Kimi Antonelli in Practice One as McLaren also show early Suzuka formMercedes power rules scrappy FP1 at Suzuka

The practice session was marked by several notable incidents. Alex Albon of Williams experienced a significant moment when he ran wide at Degner 2, making light contact with the barriers. Later, he collided with Sergio Perez of Cadillac at the chicane, resulting in damage to both cars. This incident is currently under investigation by the stewards.

F1 Japanese GP: George Russell leads Kimi Antonelli by 0.026s in FP1

Other drivers, including Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari, finished fifth and sixth, respectively, indicating a competitive field. Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who has been a dominant force in previous seasons, struggled to keep pace, finishing seventh and nearly eight-tenths off the lead.

Japanese Grand Prix FP1: Mercedes on top, George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum as the season progresses. Russell commented on the competitive nature of the session, stating, "We have worked so hard to get ourselves in this position... the best team should come out on top."

Japanese GP: George Russell leads Mercedes 1-2 in FP1 with Lando Norris close behind

In contrast, there are concerns among rival teams regarding Mercedes' front wing design, which has come under scrutiny for potentially violating regulations. Russell defended the team's performance, asserting that efforts to slow Mercedes down are unwarranted so early in the season.

Japanese GP: George Russell says 'not right' Mercedes rivals are trying to slow Silver Arrows down as front wing comes under spotlight

Critics have raised questions about the legality of Mercedes' front wing, suggesting that its design may provide an unfair advantage. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have noted a significant gap in performance, prompting discussions about potential regulatory changes aimed at leveling the playing field.

Japanese GP: George Russell just fastest from Kimi Antonelli in Practice One as McLaren also show early Suzuka form

While Mercedes has shown strong performance, there are discrepancies in the assessment of Red Bull's competitiveness. Some sources suggest that Red Bull's upgrades may not be sufficient to challenge for the top positions, while others indicate that the team is still in the mix but struggling with reliability issues.

Japanese GP: George Russell says 'not right' Mercedes rivals are trying to slow Silver Arrows down as front wing comes under spotlight

The next practice session is scheduled for later today, followed by qualifying on Saturday. Teams will aim to refine their setups and strategies as they prepare for the race on Sunday, where the competitive landscape may shift further based on the results of ongoing developments and adjustments.

Japanese GP: George Russell says 'not right' Mercedes rivals are trying to slow Silver Arrows down as front wing comes under spotlight

In summary, the first practice session at Suzuka has set the stage for an exciting weekend, with Mercedes leading the charge and rival teams eager to close the gap.

Russell leads Mercedes 1-2 in opening Japanese GP practice