Japanese Grand Prix – Free Practice 2: George Russell the fastest, beautiful battle between Mercedes and Max Verstappen

It was under heavy rain, just like the first free practice session, that the FP2 started at Suzuka. Session that lasted 90 minutes instead of the usual 60, as Pirelli had initially planned to test new tire prototypes. Due to the rain, these tests were canceled, but the 90 minutes of FP2 were still held.

After Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in FP1, it was Nicholas Latifi who took the lead on a waterlogged track with a first lap time of 1:56.471 on full wet tyres. Carlos Sainz followed suit on blue tyres, setting a first time of 1:49.615. However, the Spaniard made a mistake on the slippery track, picking up some gravel at turn 9. Moments later, Nicholas Latifi made an error and turned into an escape road, mistaking it for a corner.

First Mercedes to come out during the FP2 at Suzuka, George Russell sets a poor first time of 1:52.859. Lewis Hamilton then follows, with significant track slip and a initial time of 1:49.489, putting him in provisional first place in the standings. The British driver informs his team that the intermediate tires can be put on, which they promptly do for Russell and the seven-time world champion.

The intermediate exit tires

The track conditions are gradually improving, with the asphalt drying up little by little as the rain seems to be moving away. However, George Russell had a scare with his intermediate tires, sliding on the kerb but managing to keep control of his car.

With his new green tires, Lewis Hamilton smashes the record with a time of 1:44.298. Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda confirm that intermediates are the solution, with times a little over 1:46 seconds. But the track is still slippery, and Yuki Tsunoda falls victim to a major off-track excursion into the gravel, which thankfully doesn’t damage his car.

A few moments later, for his first outing on track in the FP2, Charles Leclerc also made a mistake at turn 11, slightly damaging the front right of his Ferrari right from the start.

Battle between the Mercedes and Max Verstappen.

After 50 minutes of session, the reigning world champion Max Verstappen comes out of the garage and manages to do better than his rival from last year, with a first time of 1:43.571, placing himself ahead of the Mercedes. Still on the track, Hamilton fights back with a slightly better time of 1:43.536.

George Russell improves his time on his lap and takes first place, while Ocon makes a good breakthrough, placing himself in 5th position, behind Carlos Sainz.

The battle between the two Mercedes and Max Verstappen continues, with all three drivers improving their times but maintaining their positions. Russell is in front, being the first to break the 1:42 mark with a time of 1:41.935, followed by Hamilton, and then the Dutch driver. As for the second Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez, who has been struggling so far, he is unable to do better than 1:43.300, nearly 0.6 seconds slower than his teammate.

Announcement on Saturday in FP3 for Pierre Gasly?

While many cars returned to the pit stop, 30 minutes before the end, Charles Leclerc goes back on track and communicates his negative feeling to his team, after his earlier incident. His first real lap time of this session is 1:44.709, over 2.7 seconds behind the leader, George Russell.

Furthermore, we note the poor performance of Pierre Gasly, who only managed a time of 1:47.109 during this session, whereas Canal+ suggests that the announcement regarding his future – potentially with Alpine – would be made tomorrow during FP3. The Alpine cars, which seemed promising, showed good pace during this second free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. Assuming they do not suffer from technical failures like last weekend in Singapore…