“It was difficult”: McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris cautious of Mercedes threat even after leading Friday practice in Japan

Despite a good finish during Friday's free practice sessions at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are still wary of Mercedes' challenge going into the weekend. McLaren drivers topped the day—Piastri heading Free Practice 2 and Norris topping FP1—but conceded that conditions at Suzuka Circuit were far from perfect and that their rivals, especially Mercedes, are waiting in the wings.


Though both McLaren MCL39 drivers looked quick on paper, they claimed that gusty winds and a freshly resurfaced track made it difficult to find rhythm and consistency.
“[It was] difficult. I think with the part of the track being resurfaced and very gusty winds, it’s been a challenge.” Oscar Piastri, who led the second session by just 0.049s from his teammate, explained.
Lando Norris agreed with his teammate, “Around here, it’s somewhere where the wind really changes the balance a lot, and when it’s gusty like this, I don’t think you have the same car two laps in a row, so it’s been a pretty tricky day.”
Piastri further added, “Obviously, FP2 was pretty stop-start, so it was hard to get into a rhythm, but I think by the end of the day I felt reasonably comfortable. Still some fine-tuning to go—I think there’s been some things I’ve been happy with today, but it’s not been the easiest overall.”

Both Norris and Piastri identified George Russell and Mercedes as their nearest pursuers in the opening part of the weekend. Russell was seen strongly in FP1, and his recent form over the opening rounds of the season—two podiums included—has made Mercedes a genuine title contender.
“George was very quick this morning, just as quick as us, so I think Mercedes are in a good place. Maybe Red Bull looked a little bit further off, but they have looked further off until Qualifying and then they get a bit closer again,” Norris explained.
“I think [in] FP1, it was difficult to get pace out of the car—I think [in] FP2 I was much more comfortable. But I think Mercedes have looked very quick as well; they just didn’t find much on the softs, which I think, with this kind of session, it’s always a bit tricky to get a proper read,” Piastri added.
Also read: Oscar Piastri wins F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025 from pole, Lando Norris comes second

McLaren heads into Suzuka with momentum, having secured back-to-back victories in Australia and China to open the 2025 season. While teams prepare for a make-or-break Saturday at Suzuka, McLaren might have set the early benchmark, but Piastri and Norris realize that qualifying and Sunday will bring an acid test, particularly with the likes of Mercedes making a real push and George Russell emerging as a real force to be reckoned with. High-speed corners, ever-changing conditions, and wafer-thin margins will make it another desperate scrap at the Suzuka shrine.