2. Suzuka Training: Rain hampers chase times / Formula 1

After the first free practice session in Japan took place under cloudy skies but on a dry track, the track was already wet when the traffic light at the end of the pit lane turned green at the start of the second free practice session. The runway remained empty at that time and all the pilots waited to see if the situation would improve.

Logan Sargeant, who had badly damaged his Williams when it crashed during the first practice, had no choice. The front and rear wings as well as the suspension and gearbox were affected, as team boss James Vowles revealed during the break between the two sessions. The team announced shortly before the second practice session that the American would not participate in the second practice session so that the team could repair the car during the rest.

It was only after 13 minutes that Lewis Hamilton was the first to venture down the slopes. The seven-time world champion reported on the radio that the track was too dry. However, he soon returned to the pits. Daniel Ricciardo, who was forced to abandon his Racing Bulls for local hero Ayumu Iwasa in the first session of practice, also ventured out of the pits, which he soon returned to at a slower pace.

The first to leave holes in the middle tires was Oscar Piastri, and because of that more and more drivers dared to go to the track. The first flying laps were completed by Bulls drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Ricciardo, who produced the first lap times on the monitor. After the Japanese completed five laps and the Australian completed six laps, the track settled down again.

In the last few minutes it was Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou who entered the track. But the team from Hinwil concentrated more on completing the pit stops. These had frequently caused anxious lines in recent races.

In the end the situation improved so that few drivers still completed the scheduled laps. Piastri remained fastest with 1:34.725 minutes.

2. Studies, Japan

01. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:34.725 min
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:35,226
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:38,760
04. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:40,946
05. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:41.913
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:44.977
07. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:52.579
08. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), clean, no time
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, no time
10. Alex Albon (T), Williams, no time
11. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, no time
12. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, no time
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, no time
14. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, no time
15. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, no time
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, no time
17. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Bull Red Racing, no time
18. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, No Time
19. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, no time
20. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, no time