Piastri fastest as McLaren outpace Mercedes in Japan practice

World champions McLaren outpaced early 2026 championship leaders Mercedes as Oscar Piastri topped the second Friday practice timesheet for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Having been off the pace in the first two race weekends of F1's new era, and failing to take the race start with either car last time out in China, McLaren looked a far more competitive proposition throughout the opening day's practice running at Suzuka.