Lando Norris Dominates Third Practice at Suzuka Despite Fire….read more
The 2025 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit saw McLaren’s Lando Norris claim the fastest time in the third practice session, continuing a strong weekend for the team. Norris posted a blistering lap of 1:27.965, setting the fastest time of the session, ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished second. Mercedes’ George Russell, another strong contender this season, secured third place as the teams prepared for the crucial qualifying sessions later in the day.
This session, however, was far from routine. In an all-too-familiar scene, the session was disrupted by several red flags, many of which were caused by fires ignited by the sparks from the cars, especially near the grass edges of the track. This was not the first time during the weekend that these fires had made an impact on the proceedings. On Friday’s opening practice sessions, similar incidents occurred, resulting in multiple stoppages. These disruptions, while not major in terms of safety, raised concerns about the dry conditions around the track and the potential risks involved in continuing sessions under such circumstances.
The fires, caused by the friction between the cars’ underbodies and the track surface, caused some to question the safety of certain trackside areas. Despite the interruptions, track marshals responded swiftly to extinguish the fires, allowing the practice session to resume after brief delays. Thankfully, there were no significant incidents or injuries. However, the sight of smoke rising from the sides of the circuit was a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining track conditions, especially at a high-speed venue like Suzuka.
For McLaren, the third practice session was an indication of their growing confidence and form as they continue to impress throughout the weekend. Norris’s lap time was not just the fastest of the session but also a notable benchmark, eclipsing the previous year’s pole position time. His performance has positioned McLaren as a team to watch as we head into the all-important qualifying rounds. The team’s resurgence this season has been one of the biggest stories in Formula 1, and Suzuka seems to be another race where McLaren is showing that they are no longer just chasing the front runners but are firmly in the hunt.
Piastri’s second-place finish in the session further underlined McLaren’s promising pace this weekend. The Australian driver, who has been in strong form since joining the team, demonstrated his ability to compete with the very best, and his consistency will be key in the upcoming qualifying session. With both McLaren cars in the top two, the team’s confidence heading into the rest of the weekend is palpable, and they will be hoping to carry this momentum into qualifying and ultimately the race itself.
For Mercedes, third place for George Russell was an encouraging result. The Silver Arrows have faced challenges this season, struggling to match the raw pace of Red Bull and, at times, Ferrari and McLaren. However, Russell’s performance in third suggests that Mercedes is continuing to close the gap. Lewis Hamilton, who has been notably competitive at Suzuka over the years, will be hoping to build on Russell’s form as the team looks to challenge for a place at the front.
Despite the chaos of the practice sessions, one of the key takeaways from today’s session was the continued dominance of Red Bull. While Max Verstappen did not take the top spot in practice, his steady pace saw him finish in the top five, just behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The reigning world champion remains the favorite for qualifying and the race, though his performance during practice showed that McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari are all ready to challenge.
The session also highlighted some growing concerns surrounding track safety. While the fires during practice were contained without any major incidents, the frequency of such occurrences raised questions about the current safety measures in place at Suzuka. As one of the oldest and most iconic tracks on the Formula 1 calendar, Suzuka has always held a special place in the hearts of drivers and fans. However, the track’s layout and the dry conditions around the edges have proven challenging this weekend. There is no indication that the FIA intends to intervene immediately, but officials will no doubt be keeping a close eye on track conditions as the weekend progresses.
Looking ahead to qualifying later today, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they can carry their impressive form into a competitive grid position. With a few teams showing strong performances, including Mercedes and Ferrari, the battle for pole position is expected to be intense. Suzuka’s technical and challenging layout will test the drivers to the limit, and as always, the race on Sunday promises to be an exciting contest.
For McLaren, the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix represents an opportunity to make a statement and assert themselves as genuine contenders for both pole position and race wins. With Norris and Piastri in strong form, the team will be looking to secure their first front-row start in years. As the weekend continues, fans can expect drama, excitement, and perhaps a few more surprises on track. The Japanese Grand Prix has a reputation for delivering thrilling moments, and this year looks no different.
