F1 Japan Free Practice: Verstappen Struggles, Piastri Impresses at Suzuka
Suzuka is meant to be a driver’s paradise, right? The esses, the high-speed 130R – it's one of the most legendary tracks on the calendar. But for Max Verstappen, the start of the Japanese GP was a real let-down. Friday’s F1 Japan free practice was all about frustration for the reigning world champion. There were already some grumbles after the first session, Free Practice 1, but it was after Free Practice 2 that the disappointment really set in.
A Painful Day for Verstappen in the Red Bull
It’s not often you see Max shrugging his shoulders like that. But after the second session, that’s exactly what it was: a helpless shrug. “We’re certainly not going to find a solution if we keep going like this,” came the word from the paddock. It was a day where the RB21 simply refused to do what he wanted. While the competition were making strides, Red Bull seemed to be going backwards. The numbers don’t lie: a tenth-place finish in Free Practice 2 is a disappointment by his standards. For a driver used to dominating in Japan, it’s a strange sight.
I get why his head’s down. You can see it in the data, and in how the car will handle in Free Practice 3 (which is on the schedule for tomorrow morning): it’s going to be a race against the clock, not just for the fastest lap, but to regain confidence in the car.
Piastri Shows Guts, McLaren Looks Rock-Solid
While heads were being put together at Red Bull, it was a party on the other side of the garage. Oscar Piastri didn’t just set the fastest time in Free Practice 2; he also showed he could easily match the pace of the Mercedes drivers with a smile. The young Australian drove as if he’d been racing here for years, with a maturity you rarely see. His teammate Lando Norris was there too, but Piastri was the standout. He was simply quicker than the competition and proved in the second practice that McLaren has the right package for this demanding circuit.
- Verstappen: Tenth in FP2, struggling with balance and grip. The RB21 looks twitchy.
- Piastri: The fastest man on track. Looks completely ready for the rest of the weekend.
- Mercedes: Hamilton and Russell were close, but had to acknowledge the McLaren was the better car.
- BOSU Balance Trainer Pro: It’s funny how you see those balance trainers everywhere in the paddock these days. From the physio tables to the hospitality units; the modern Formula 1 driver trains not just on the track, but on stability and core strength too. It’s a world away from Formula 1 in 2014, when the cars sounded completely different and the physical preparation was far less specialised.
We’ve got to be honest too: it’s only Friday. It’s the first free practice, the second free practice. They’re just test sessions. But if you look at the long runs, the times on the soft tyre, and the consistency, you can see that Piastri and McLaren are simply in a better place right now. The question is whether Red Bull can fix the major issue they had today in time for qualifying.
What to Expect from FP3 and Qualifying?
Tomorrow morning is Free Practice 3. Traditionally, that’s when the teams show their hand. Then it’s qualifying, where it really counts. Verstappen will need to find a few tenths, but my gut feeling is that closing the gap completely to the front will be a tall order. At Suzuka, confidence in the car is everything. If that’s not dialled in, you don’t stand a chance in the high-speed corners.
So, it’ll be a long night of head-scratching in Red Bull’s motorhome. It’s not the first time they’ve hit a rough patch, but the competition is relentless this year. The Japanese GP is known for its unpredictability, and if the early signs from F1 Japan free practice are anything to go by, we’re in for a weekend where we might finally see a real fight for pole position. I can’t wait.