Piastri outshines Mercedes duo to go fastest in practice

Oscar Piastri

McLaren's Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time in Friday's second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, usurping the dominant Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Piastri is yet to even start a grand prix this season but the Australian gave a reminder of his talent with a lap of 1min 30.133sec in dry, sunny conditions at Suzuka. The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli was second, 0.092sec behind Piastri.

"We felt like we made some good progress, particularly in the second practice session, which was encouraging," said Piastri. "The feeling is positive and we've gathered some valuable data that puts us in a solid position."

Japan GP will be the last F1 race for 5 weeks

The Japanese Grand Prix is only the third race of the new Formula 1 season, but it will be last one for five weeks with events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia called off because of the war in Iran. The next F1 race is not until May 3 in Miami.

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