Lando Norris completed a clean sweep for McLaren in practice at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, setting the fastest effort in Saturday’s FP3 session.
His 1:27.965s benchmark couldn’t be beaten with team-mate Oscar Piastri second fastest, 0.026s slower, setting up a McLaren battle for pole position in qualifying.
After second practice on Friday was interrupted by four red flags, two for grass fires, it took just minutes for a stoppage in FP3.
Again, this was due to a trackside grass fire, an issue that could threaten to interrupt qualifying if not improved upon.
With roughly 45 minutes of the session remaining, the situation was controlled and green flag running resumed at Suzuka.
One more stoppage came with just over six minutes remaining, which interrupted qualifying simulations, and again, it was a grass fire, this time on the approach to 130R.
This was a major issue for Haas, which had both drivers amid a first push-lap when the Red Flag was waved.
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The session wouldn’t be resumed, meaning McLaren’s closest challenger was Mercedes’ George Russell, 0.112s off of the Norris benchmark.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth with Max Verstappen rounding out the top five even with the Dutchman complaining that at times his Red Bull RB21 was “undriveable.”
Lewis Hamilton was next up in his Ferrari, ahead of an impressive Alex Albon for Williams and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Yuki Tsunoda was ninth, just under three-tenths shy of his Red Bull team-mate, and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar continued to impress in 10th.
The top 11 were covered by just 0.881s, with 11th going to Williams’ Carlos Sainz.
1.139s back from the top time was 12th-placed Liam Lawson for Racing Bulls, who led Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alpine’s Jack Doohan in the order.
Aston Martin, Haas and Sauber filled up the final six places and no doubt will be in the battle to avoid Q1 elimination in qualifying.
Fernando Alonso was 15th in his AMR25, leading Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto – although Bearman was unable to complete a proper pushlap.
The same was said for Esteban Ocon, who was 18th fastest, as Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the order.
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