The 2025 Formula 1 Japanese GP weekend kicked off in thrilling fashion with Lando Norris setting the fastest lap during Free Practice 1, ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
Norris who is currently leading the Drivers’ Championship delivered a time of 1:28.549 which not only reaffirmed his position as one of the most consistent drivers this season but also set the tone for what promises to be an exciting weekend of racing at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.
The opening practice for the 2025 Japanese GP began under clear skies and favorable track conditions, with temperatures hovering around 35°C. Drivers wasted no time getting to grips with the challenging figure-of-eight layout of Suzuka, a track known for its high-speed corners and technical demands.
Early in the session, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen appeared to be in control after setting competitive times on the soft Pirelli tires. However, Mercedes’ George Russell soon upped the ante, clocking a 1:28.712 to take the provisional top spot.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris faced some initial struggles with balance issues in his McLaren MCL39. On his first two attempts at a flying lap he encountered challenges at the final chicane—first suffering from oversteer and later losing control after taking too much curb which sent him into the gravel.
Despite the setbacks, Norris showcased his resilience and skill by nailing his third attempt.
The British driver delivered purple sectors in the first two parts of the lap and adopted a more cautious approach through the chicane to secure the fastest time in Japanese GP FP1, edging out Russell by just 0.163 seconds.
George Russell’s performance in second place was equally impressive. The Mercedes driver demonstrated strong pace throughout the session and appeared to have a better handle on tire management compared to Norris who reported front-tire graining after just a few laps on medium compounds.
Russell’s consistency suggests that Mercedes could be a strong contender this weekend.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three, finishing 0.416 seconds behind Norris. His performance was solid though he struggled to match the outright pace of Norris and Russell.
Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton followed closely in fourth place, just 0.086 seconds adrift of the Monesgaque. Ferrari’s showing in FP1 indicates that they remain competitive but may need to find additional speed to challenge for pole position during qualifying.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing had a mixed session. Max Verstappen finished fifth but was only marginally quicker than his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda who impressed in sixth place during his first outing with Red Bull at his home Grand Prix.
Tsunoda’s lap was just 0.1 seconds slower than Verstappen’s, signaling that he is quickly adapting to his new car and relishing the support of the passionate Japanese fans.
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Further down the order, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso secured seventh place with a steady performance while rookie Isack Hadjar delivered an eye-catching lap to claim eighth for Racing Bulls.
Kimi Antonelli continued to show promise for Mercedes by finishing ninth while Williams Carlos Sainz rounded out the top ten in Japanese GP FP1.
Williams’ Alex Albon and Alpine’s Ryo Hirakawa took 11th and 12th positions respectively followed by Liam Lawson in 13th for Racing Bulls and Pierre Gasly in 14th for Alpine. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri struggled to find pace and ended up in 15th place well behind his teammate Norris.
The bottom five featured Lance Stroll (16th) for Aston Martin, Nico Hulkenberg (17th) for Sauber, Ollie Bearman (18th) for Haas, Esteban Ocon (19th) also for Haas, and Gabriel Bortoleto (20th) for Sauber.
The session was not without its challenges as drivers battled gusty winds through key sections of the circuit, particularly at the final chicane and down the main straight.
These conditions contributed to several off-track excursions and highlighted how demanding Suzuka can be even for seasoned professionals.
As FP1 concluded, it became clear that tire management would play a crucial role throughout the weekend.
The soft Pirelli tires showed signs of rapid degradation during longer runs, raising questions about race strategy and whether teams might opt for alternative compounds during Sunday’s Grand Prix.
