McLaren in “decent shape” despite limited Friday running

Following today’s limited running due to red flags and rainy conditions, Oscar Piastri says McLaren were able to learn “a few bits and pieces” that have left the Woking-based team “optimistic” that they will be “close to the front” in Japan.

Like the entirety of the grid, Friday at the Suzuka International Circuit was far from ideal for Piastri who managed to score his maiden F1 podium at the iconic track in his rookie season last year.

Starting off in the noon session, Piastri seemingly trailed his teammate on the Hard and Medium compound tyre, with Norris jumping to an early top spot with his time of 1:31.781s.

Piastri sat just over a second behind Norris, eventually falling out of the top ten times.

The session was momentarily halted due to a red flag called for Logan Sargeant’s crash at Turn 7, costing the grid around 10 minutes of track time. 

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, during FP1 at the Japanese GP. Image: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images.

When the session restarted and the time finally came to put on the C3 tyre, the softest available compound for the Japanese GP, Piastri found pace over Norris, however, didn’t quite compare to their closest competitors.

His red-marked run saw him sitting in P8, 1.1 seconds off Verstappen’s benchmark, while Norris was just under eight-hundredths back in P10.

With his birthday tomorrow, the soon-to-be 23-year-old’s fastest lap of FP1, obtained over 22 laps, was a 1:31.165s.

“[In FP1, we learnt] a few bits and pieces,” Piastri said.

“Even in FP1, the time of the red flag was pretty awkward for us so, it’s a bit hard to know exactly where we stand, but I think we’re about where we have been.”

That would be his fastest of the day, despite setting the fastest time of a wasted FP2 session.

Inconsistent rain ruined any chance of productive running in FP2, with few drivers, including Piastri, testing the track on multiple occasions throughout the hour.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, returning to his garage during FP2 at the Japanese GP. Image: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images.

In the final minutes of the session, 14 drivers left their garages, some for the very first time, to secure a final practice start of the day.

In the process, Piastri set the fastest time, a 1:34.725s which was five-tenths faster than Lewis Hamilton behind.

“I think we’ve got a competitive car, I think it will be interesting to see if we can replicate the pace that we had in Australia,” Piastri said.

“Obviously [Suzuka] was a good track for us last year, but I feel like other people have gained some more strengths.

“We’ll see what we can do, but I think we’re reasonably optimistic that we can be close to the front.”

Piastri and the remaining 19 drivers will have one hour of practice tomorrow before embarking on a challenging qualifying session in the afternoon, with hopes of both sessions remaining uninterrupted.

2024 Japanese Grand Prix

Friday, April 5

Practice 1: 13.30-14.30

Practice 2: 17.00-18.00

Saturday, April 6

Practice 3: 13.30-14.30

Qualifying: 17.00-18.00

Sunday, April 7

Grand Prix: 15.00

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE LATEST DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Latest Podcast: Follow the Easter Trail and more here on the Auto Action RevLimiter

This week we had to work hard for Supercar News, but we found some. It was easier in Speedway with the Easter Trail and the new speedway opening at Eastern Creek.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here