Lando Norris Leads McLaren's Stunning 1-2 Finish in Japanese Grand Prix Practice
Roaring Through Suzuka
In an electrifying display of speed and precision, Lando Norris steered his McLaren to the top of the timesheets in Free Practice 3 at the Japanese Grand Prix with an impressive lap of 1:27.965. Proving McLaren's competitive edge, his teammate Oscar Piastri came in a hair's breadth behind at 1:27.991, locking in a stunning 1-2 finish ahead of the crucial qualifying sessions.
Meanwhile, George Russell managed to clock in a solid performance for Mercedes, securing third place with a time of 1:28.077. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen couldn't quite match the top speed but held their ground to close out the top five, recording 1:28.414 and 1:28.497, respectively.
Troubles and Triumphs
The session wasn't without its drama, marked by two red flags that abruptly halted proceedings. Grass fires near the track added an unexpected challenge, particularly one near the session's end that robbed several drivers of the chance to complete their final laps. Despite these hurdles, McLaren remained undeterred, guided by Norris, who overcame early hiccups at the notorious Turn 9, a bend that has proven tricky for many.
Alongside the leading pack, Lewis Hamilton, now racing in Ferrari colors, put on a commendable show. He finished sixth with a respectable time of 1:28.524, narrowly surpassing Williams' Alexander Albon, who stopped the clock at 1:28.554.
Further down the order, Alpine's duo of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda kept up the pressure. Gasly finished in the eighth position, while local favorite Tsunoda showcased his skills to achieve a notable 1:28.785. It wasn't the best day for every team, though. Red Bull's Liam Lawson and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz found themselves a bit further back in 11th and 12th.
Ferrari caught the paddock's eye with Leclerc's strategic run. The team's performance hinted at potential tire strategies that could play out in their favor come qualifying time. But it was undeniably McLaren who stole the spotlight, sending a strong message with their confident display and continuous laps that underlined their race reliability. All eyes turn to the upcoming qualifying round, where drivers will further push the limits of their machines and tactics will either pay off or falter under pressure.