SUZUKA, Japan – April 5, 2025: McLaren’s Lando Norris showcased dominant form during the final practice session for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, clocking the fastest time of the weekend and cementing his team’s status as the one to beat heading into qualifying.
Lando Norris, who had previously aborted two flying laps, eventually laid down a scorching lap time of 1:27.965. His pace was not only unmatched during the session but also nearly two-tenths faster than last year’s pole position, underlining McLaren’s leap in performance this season. Norris, who has steadily emerged as one of the top contenders in the 2025 F1 season, appears poised for a strong weekend at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.
Right behind Lando Norris was his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who missed out on the top spot by just 0.026 seconds, giving the team a commanding 1-2 in final practice. With the McLaren cars showing both outright speed and consistency, qualifying later on Saturday could very well see Norris in contention for pole position.
Mercedes’ George Russell followed closely in third, showing promising signs of competitiveness, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc slotted into fourth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, struggled throughout the session and could only manage fifth. Verstappen reported issues with car balance, describing it as “undriveable” in several corners. Meanwhile, his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda, driving in his home race, ended up ninth and was noticeably more satisfied with his RB21’s handling.
Elsewhere on the grid, there were minor off-track excursions. Carlos Sainz ran wide to avoid a slower car, and several others had moments at the tricky Degner curves. Notably, Alpine’s Jack Doohan returned to the track after a massive crash on Friday, thanks to a remarkable repair job by his team.
Adding a dramatic element to the session, it was red-flagged twice as gusty winds carried sparks from undertrays onto the grass, igniting small fires—an unusual but not unprecedented sight at Suzuka.
With McLaren leading the charge and Lando Norris in top form, all eyes will be on the Briton as he aims to convert his practice dominance into pole position and possibly another victory.