McLaren
Norris lost much running: FP1 interrupted by aero-rake work and FP2 by a hydraulic leak, limiting long-run laps. He posted FP1 P3 (1:31.798) and FP2 P4 (1:30.649) but warned the team is “two or three steps behind” without solid consecutive laps. Piastri led FP2 (P1, 1:30.133) after trouble-free running and called it a decent day with useful data. Senior Director Randy Singh praised the recovery from issues while noting the overall order has not shifted dramatically.
Mercedes
George Russell topped FP1 (P1, 1:31.666) with strong pace through the Esses and completed a full programme alongside teammate Antonelli, who was P2 in FP1 (1:31.692). Both gathered long-run tyre data; Russell wants to improve the single-lap and Antonelli highlighted tyre and balance sensitivity in the variable wind. Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin described a straightforward day with valuable compound data.
Ferrari
Leclerc and Hamilton were often the closest challengers to Mercedes until McLaren’s late soft runs. Leclerc finished FP1 and FP2 in P5 (1:31.955 / 1:30.846) and judged the race pace reasonable but qualifying still needs work. Hamilton (FP1 P6, 1:32.040; FP2 P6, 1:30.980) said the car was a bit short on pace and balance, with overnight deployment and setup changes planned.
Audi
A mixed Friday for Audi. Hülkenberg completed his programme and ran to P12 in FP1 (1:32.798) and P7 in FP2 (1:31.441), pleased with the baseline. Bortoleto showed pace in FP1 but lost most of FP2 to a precautionary gearbox change and ended FP2 P16 (1:31.933); he thanked the team for the quick turnaround and will use teammate data overnight.
Williams
Albon had an eventful day—off-track excursions, a contact with Perez, a pit-release issue and traffic on hot laps—but still climbed to FP2 P8 (1:31.496) after a muted FP1 (P18, 1:33.697). He called it a positive Friday with evident improvement. Sainz was quieter (FP1 P17, 1:33.383; FP2 P13, 1:31.608), reporting decent short-run pace but weaker high-fuel race performance; engineers logged productive setup gains.
Haas
Ocon led Haas in FP1 (P9, 1:32.601) while Bearman narrowly beat him in FP2 by 0.034s (Bearman FP2 P9, 1:31.498). Both drivers expect a tight intra-team fight and aim for the midfield scrap for Q3. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said the day provided useful data on energy deployment and cornering.
Red Bull
Verstappen struggled with balance and a wobble, making the top 10 in FP2 narrowly (FP1 P7, 1:32.457; FP2 P10, 1:31.509) and flagged sector one and medium/high-speed stability as areas to understand. Hadjar reported a pull and discomfort, finishing FP2 P15 (1:31.759). Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan confirmed upgrades were fitted and more work is needed on balance and grip before qualifying.
Racing Bulls
Both cars showed promise in FP1. Lawson spent time in the top 10 and ended FP2 P12 (1:31.590). Rookie Lindblad impressed with FP1 P10 (1:32.665) on his Suzuka debut but suffered a gearbox failure that left him with only an out-lap in FP2 (P22); the team will replace the gearbox. Team Principal Alan Permane warned the midfield is extremely tight.
Alpine
Colapinto lost early running to a radio problem and later received a warning for weaving on the back straight after impeding Verstappen. Gasly had to take avoiding action in the pit lane following Albon’s release. Gasly (FP2 P14, 1:31.734) felt balance was improving but not complete; Colapinto (FP2 P17, 1:32.438) called it a tricky but valuable Suzuka learning day.
Cadillac
Perez endured contact with Albon in FP1 and spent more time in repairs, ending Friday down the order (FP1 P19, 1:34.221; FP2 P20, 1:33.689). Bottas had a relatively clean day (FP1 P20, 1:34.490; FP2 P18, 1:32.615) and said recent upgrades added load and stability. Executive Engineer Pat Symonds said small upgrades are settling and the team aims to climb the midfield.
Aston Martin
Crawford ran FP1 aero-rake work in place of Alonso; Alonso returned for FP2 and ran the soft tyre. Stroll (FP2 P21, 1:33.951) and Alonso (FP2 P19, 1:33.596) focused on high-speed cornering improvements. Debutant Crawford praised the simulator prep and took useful data for the AMR26.
Pirelli
Chief Engineer Simone Berra noted that recent resurfacing in Suzuka’s final sectors produced a smoother, grippier surface with low degradation and limited graining so far. All three compounds support a near-certain one-stop strategy; the Soft remains least tested in long runs. Berra said McLaren was the only team not to try the Hard so far and teams may save C1s for Sunday or use Hards for a consistent opening stint.
Overall
Friday at Suzuka brought relatively few major reliability gremlins but some teams lost crucial running to mechanical or tyre issues. McLaren and Mercedes showed strong single-lap speed, Ferrari stayed close but slightly behind McLaren, and the midfield is exceptionally tight—small margins could reshuffle the order in qualifying. Teams will work overnight on balance, energy deployment and single-lap performance ahead of Saturday.