Oscar Piastri shines in interrupted FP2 at Japanese Grand Prix
The second practice session (FP2) of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix ended in dramatic fashion, with multiple red flags and a long delay due to a heavy crash involving Alpine driver Jack Doohan. However, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri remained composed and set the fastest lap of the session, while his teammate Lando Norris secured the second position.
FP2 got off to a promising start, with drivers taking to the Suzuka Circuit to make the most of the cooler conditions. The track was expected to be slippery, and many teams opted for a dry setup, with a focus on getting a good feel for the car.
Piastri, who has been in impressive form this season, was among the early pace-setters, setting a lap time of 1:29.452 in the opening 15 minutes. His teammate Norris was close behind, posting a time of 1:29.651.
As the session wore on, the focus shifted to fine-tuning the cars and making adjustments for the changing track conditions. The majority of drivers opted to switch to medium tires, taking advantage of the softer compound to improve their lap times.
However, just as things were getting underway, disaster struck. Alpine driver Jack Doohan lost control of his car at Turn 1, sending it crashing into the barriers. The impact was significant, and the session was immediately red-flagged to allow the marshals to clear the wreckage.
The delay was lengthy, with the session being restarted over 20 minutes later. When the green flag was finally waved, drivers were keen to make up for lost time and get back out on track.
Piastri, who had been patient throughout the delay, was the first to take to the track. He quickly got back into his stride, setting a blistering lap time of 1:28.851 to claim the top spot.
Norris followed suit, posting a time of 1:29.121 to secure the second position. The McLaren duo’s pace was impressive, and they were the only drivers to break into the 1:28s bracket.
The rest of the field struggled to get back into their rhythm, with many drivers opting to focus on longer runs to get a better feel for the car. The likes of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were among those who missed out on performance runs, while others like Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel were forced to abandon their runs due to the interrupted session.
As the chequered flag was waved, Piastri emerged as the clear winner, setting the fastest lap of the session. Norris’s second place was a testament to the McLaren duo’s strong pace, and they will be looking to carry this form into qualifying tomorrow.
The Japanese Grand Prix is shaping up to be one of the most competitive weekends of the season, and the drama that unfolded in FP2 only adds to the intrigue. With the red flags and long delay, many drivers will be feeling frustrated, but Piastri’s composure and Norris’s pace suggest that McLaren are well-placed to challenge for a strong result.
The action will continue tomorrow with qualifying, where drivers will look to secure a spot on the grid for Sunday’s race. With the weather forecast looking uncertain, it’s set to be another thrilling day at the Japanese Grand Prix.
