Oscar Piastri for McLaren topped the leaderboard in the second practice hour ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix with a lap of 1:30.133, leading the way from the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
The improvement for the Australian native came after FP1 where he was fourth quickest in the hour, where Russell and Antonelli set the pace early. A complete 180 of the results from the first session.
The session started with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton leading the pack early, with the majority of the field implementing the medium tires while a small number chose the hard compound.
The hour also didn’t come without a near close call, with Pierre Gasly for Alpine and Alex Albon for Williams Racing nearly making contact exiting pit lane early on. Albon one of few with a new upgraded suspension for this upcoming weekend.
Other notable teams in the session where of course the Mercedes duo being second and third fastest, Piastri’s teammate and defending champion Lando Norris running fourth.
Scuderia Ferrari would be fifth and sixth fastest with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Nico Hulkenberg of Audi also made an appearance inside the top 10.
Official Results:
