The opening practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix saw Mclaren’s Lando Norris emerging as the fastest driver on track., securing a significant advantage of nearly two tenths of a second over Mercedes’ George Russell. Yuki Tsunoda the home hero, making his Red Bull Racing debut on home soil, concluded the session in fifth place, a tenth of a second behind his teammate Max Verstappen which will please the Milton Keynes based team.
Tsunoda showcased a promising first official outing for his new team, stepping into the Milton Keynes squad to replace Liam Lawson, who is returning to Racing Bulls. Initially expressing a sense of comfort and finding a comfortable pace with the car, Tsunoda gradually increased his speed. After finishing 0.107 seconds behind Verstappen and securing a sixth-place position, he reported that the car was “interesting” and that he had ample feedback to share.
Norris, the championship-leading McLaren driver, set a benchmark time of 1:28.549 on C3 Soft compound Pirelli tires. Throughout the session, he pushed the limits of the car, particularly in the final chicane, where he experienced a dramatic slide and a trip through the gravel. Despite these challenges, Norris managed to put together a strong lap, leaving him 0.163 seconds ahead of Russell, who once again provided a strong start for Mercedes, finishing more than two tenths of a second ahead of third-placed Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc concluded the session with a best time of 1:28.965, 0.086 seconds ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was 0.014 seconds behind Verstappen.
The defending champion, Red Bull driver, wasn’t entirely pleased with his session. He reported that his car was “flexing a lot” in the second sector, which is why he finished just ahead of his new teammate.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso secured seventh place, followed by Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Mercedes’ rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Williams driver Carlos Sainz completed the top 10.
Alex Albon, Alonso’s teammate, took the eleventh position on the timesheet, ahead of Alpine reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who replaced Jack Doohan for the session. On his return to Racing Bulls, Lawson finished thirteenth, ahead of Alpine regular Pierre Gasly. Chinese Grand Prix winner Oscar Piastri struggled with his McLaren’s handling and ended up in fifteenth place.