McLaren Dominate Suzuka Practice as Grass Fires Disrupt Japanese GP Build-Up
So, here we are talking about the Japanese Grand Prix 2025 and things are already heating up—literally and figuratively. The qualifying action is just around the corner, but the drama has already unfolded during the final practice session at Suzuka. And if you're a McLaren fan, it’s been a dream start to the weekend.
McLaren have absolutely stolen the show so far. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are looking like the duo to beat, locking out the top two spots in final practice. Norris posted a lap time of 1:27.965, edging out his teammate by a razor-thin 0.026 seconds. That’s seriously close and it’s setting up a thrilling head-to-head between the McLaren drivers.
But the story doesn't end with just fast laps. There’s been a surprising and chaotic element that’s disrupted the weekend—grass fires. Yes, you heard that right. Multiple sessions, including final practice, were interrupted due to grass beside the track catching fire. These incidents brought out the red flags twice, which messed with a lot of the teams' qualifying simulations. Apparently, even after some preventative efforts post-Friday’s red flag chaos, the fires returned. This time, the second fire hit just seven minutes before the session’s end, cutting short crucial laps for many, including Charles Leclerc and others on soft tyres.
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And while McLaren's form has been nearly flawless, others are struggling. Verstappen, for instance, was vocally frustrated with his car’s balance, complaining about poor front grip and at one point calling the car “undriveable.” He still managed to go fifth fastest, ahead of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, but he definitely isn’t thrilled with how things are shaping up.
George Russell seems to be lurking in a strong third for Mercedes, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is also in the mix despite losing a crucial final lap. Lewis Hamilton, now in red, clocked in sixth, and Albon, Gasly, Tsunoda, and Hadjar rounded out the top ten.
It’s wild to see how much impact a trackside fire can have on something as precise and strategic as F1. Drivers like Alonso, who ended up down in 15th, didn’t even get a proper soft tyre run, which could leave them in a tough spot for qualifying.
But all eyes are clearly on McLaren. They've already won the first two races of the season, and this weekend, they’re showing no signs of slowing down. The car looks dialed in, and both Norris and Piastri seem razor sharp—ready for an internal battle that could spill into qualifying and beyond.
The big question now is: can McLaren convert this practice dominance into pole position? And will these unpredictable grass fires rear their head again during qualifying?
We’ll find out very soon. Strap in, Suzuka’s not done with surprises yet.
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