Sports
Briefing: Piastri fastest as McLaren outpace Mercedes in Japan practice
Strategic angle: World champions McLaren outpaced early 2026 championship leaders Mercedes as Oscar Piastri topped the second Friday practice timesheet for the Japanese Grand Prix.
editorial-staff
1 min read
Updated 15 days ago
During the second Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren showcased their competitive edge by outpacing Mercedes, who are currently leading the early 2026 championship standings.
Oscar Piastri emerged as the fastest driver, indicating a potential shift in performance dynamics as teams prepare for the upcoming race.
This practice session highlights the evolving landscape of the championship, suggesting that McLaren's strategies and vehicle configurations may yield substantial throughput advantages in the race.