Formula 1

McLaren ended Friday on top at the Japanese Grand Prix, but how do the reigning champions stack up compared to their rivals?

Max Verstappen was left disheartened by the performance of his Red Bull on the first day of running at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton admits he 'feels like I've got a bit of a North Star' to aim for after struggling for confidence with his Ferrari during Friday practice ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

George Russell admits that McLaren's pace during Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix was "a little bit of a surprise".

Oscar Piastri finished Friday's running ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix with the fastest time, the McLaren driver posting a 1m 30.133s in Free Practice 2.

Lando Norris was left to rue a “pretty bad day” after experiencing technical issues during both of Friday’s practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix, with the day bringing mixed fortunes for McLaren amid Oscar Piastri setting the pace in Free Practice 2.

Oscar Piastri topped the times in Free Practice 2 for the Japanese Grand Prix, beating Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets in the second practice hour ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, the McLaren driver leading the way from the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Live coverage of Friday's second practice session for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

George Russell set the fastest time in Free Practice 1 for the Japanese Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver leading team mate Kimi Antonelli.

George Russell was the driver to beat in the first practice session at the Suzuka Circuit.

Live coverage of Friday's first practice session for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

We look at the best early bets to consider before the action gets underway at Suzuka.

Kimi Antonelli joined the F1 race winners’ club after he beat George Russell to the chequered flag in China, but is not getting carried away.

Oscar Piastri has joked that he hopes to “at least see the lights come on” at the Japanese Grand Prix after failing to start in both Australia and China already this season, with the Australian also sharing an insight into how he has reacted to experiencing a back-to-back DNS.

Lewis Hamilton has shared an insight into why he feels that Ferrari’s 2026 car suits him much better than its predecessor, with the seven-time World Champion admitting that he is “really grateful” to the team for taking his feedback onboard.

Honda come to their home race on the back foot this time around, but the work continues to chase performance improvements with Aston Martin.

In the aftermath of Kimi Antonelli’s heartwarming win in China, there is plenty to discuss as the paddock resets for the Japanese Grand Prix.

George Russell has maintained that he and Mercedes are "not taking anything for granted" ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix despite a strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.

After a frustrating start to the season, Max Verstappen revealed that Red Bull have plenty of work to do in order to catch up to the frontrunners.