What the teams said – Friday in Japan

The Suzuka circuit hosted a mixed Friday practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topped the second session, with the team appearing strong despite some technical setbacks, including a hydraulic leak on Lando Norris’s car. Mercedes also showed promising pace, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finishing closely behind the McLarens. Ferrari's drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, maintained a steady presence but noted the need for setup improvements to close the gap to the front. Elsewhere on the grid, teams dealt with various challenges. Audi saw mixed results with Nico Hülkenberg securing a top-ten finish while Gabriel Bortoleto faced gearbox issues. Williams' Alex Albon showed surprising pace despite a series of track incidents, while Red Bull struggled significantly with balance and grip, leaving Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar outside the top tier of performance. The midfield remains incredibly tight, setting the stage for a highly competitive qualifying session.