F1 Japanese GP – Live Coverage of FP2: Teams Fine-Tune Setups for Qualifying and Race – LIVE. Follow live coverage of FP2 at the Japanese GP as teams fine-tune their setups .

After the first hour of free practice, the full performance picture remains unclear, especially among the four top teams. The field is tightly packed, with gaps that could either shrink further or widen. McLaren appears unstoppable, Red Bull remains an enigma, Mercedes might have significant potential, and Ferrari seems to have recovered part of its pace. Follow our live coverage of FP2 at the Japanese GP, the most crucial session in preparation for Saturday and Sunday.

With only one hour of free practice completed, teams have yet to find the optimal balance to tackle the demanding and well-rounded Japanese circuit. The Suzuka figure-eight layout is defined by a mix of high-speed, sweeping corners and some slow turns. This track demands a car that is well-balanced between the front and rear, with exceptional aerodynamic efficiency.

To be competitive over Suzuka’s 5+ km of tarmac, a car must strike a delicate aero-mechanical compromise: a front end that is sharp but not overly aggressive, and a rear that remains rock-solid. Any loss of rear grip translates into lost tenths per lap. Achieving this balance requires a flat car setup with controlled roll, yet still capable of efficiently transferring load between the front and rear in slow corners.

— see video above —