George Russell tops Japan Grand Prix FP1 as Alex Albon and Sergio Perez clash at Suzuka

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George Russell set the pace in first practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in a largely uneventful session, despite a late collision between Alex Albon and Sergio Perez.

2025 Formula 2 runner-up Jak Crawford stepped into Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin as part of the team’s four mandatory rookie sessions. Although Alonso missed Thursday’s media day following the birth of his first child, the driver swap had been planned in advance.

Crawford took to the track with aero rakes fitted to the Aston Martin, as the team continues to investigate issues with the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26.

Most of the grid ran the hard compound at Suzuka, but seven drivers, including both McLaren and Red Bull entries, opted for mediums. The deviation in strategy is unsurprising, given both teams lost valuable track time during last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Just minutes into the session, Isack Hadjar reported over team radio: “The brakes are really cold and I have insane pulling. I have an issue on the car, why is it pulling like this?”

Shortly after, footage showed the Frenchman suffering a big snap of oversteer in the final corner in his Red Bull.

After a difficult Chinese Grand Prix for McLaren, where neither car started the race in Shanghai, problems persisted for reigning world champion Lando Norris. The Brit completed just a single out-lap early in the session before returning to the pit lane.

Alex Brundle reported that McLaren was working under the engine cover, while also suggesting Norris may have been struggling with an overly aggressive ride-height change. Despite the delay, Norris returned to the track after 20 minutes, although he was clearly struggling to get to grips with the car, going wide between turns 13 and 14.

Red Bull introduced several upgrades for the Japanese Grand Prix, including a new floor and revised sidepod inlets, while also trialling different front wings during the session, in an effort to rebalance the car. Both drivers appeared to struggle in the early stages, with Max Verstappen notably suffering a major wobble in the final sector.

At the halfway point of the session, George Russell led the timesheets, two tenths clear of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Replays showed the Italian suffered a small lock-up during his run, explaining the deficit, but Antonelli quickly responded by reclaiming top spot on his next lap.

The pair led the way from Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, while their respective teammates remained outside the top 10.

Increasing south-easterly winds saw drivers struggle through the sweeping Turns 13 and 14 in the closing stages. Several drivers, including Norris, Russell and both Racing Bulls, were caught out, resulting in their lap times being deleted.

Alex Albon became the first driver to brush the barriers this weekend after a snap of oversteer at Turn 9 sent him into the gravel. Although it appeared to be a significant hit, the Williams driver was able to continue and return to the pit lane without triggering any cautions.

Towards the end of the session, Russell was left frustrated by traffic on the main straight. After a brief wheel-to-wheel moment, the Brit quickly came over the Mercedes radio to ask: “Who was that?”

In the closing stages, Albon ran into further trouble after colliding with Sergio Perez at 130R. The impact sent the Williams spinning across the track, scattering carbon fibre debris across the tarmac.

Just moments after the chequered flag, the race director confirmed that an incident between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the same corner would be investigated after the session, although no further details were provided.

At the end of the session, Russell topped the timesheets, just two hundredths of a second ahead of his teammate. McLaren also showed strong pace on their first runs at Suzuka, with Norris in third ahead of Piastri, both within a tenth of a second of Russell.