Japanese GP: Lando Norris ahead of everyone in Free Practice 1

The weekend in Suzuka, site of the Japanese GP, the third round of the F1 World Championship, began, once again, in the sign of McLaren. Lando Norris set the fastest time in the first free practice session, stopping the clock on 1’28″549. Yet another confirmation of how McLaren is, at the moment, one step ahead of all the other teams.
Behind Lando Norris, stood an excellent George Russell, good at making his Mercedes run at full throttle. Third time of the session for Charles Leclerc, not yet at his best but still able to show some good signs ahead of qualifying and, above all, Sunday’s race.
Lower behind Charles Leclerc is the other Ferrarista Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time World Champion was half a second behind Lando Norris. Also noteworthy was the excellent performance of Yuki Tsunoda who, making his Red Bull debut, finished sixth in the rankings, just behind his new teammate Max Verstappen.
Liam Lawson, diverted to Racing Bulls, finished with the 13th fastest time overall. In great difficulty was Oscar Piastri (15th final time). Kimi Antonelli, on the other hand, took the ninth time and some risk in the race (off-track excursion for the Italian driver, fortunately without major consequences for his Mercedes).