McLaren surprises Mercedes in FP2; Verstappen summoned twice on dramatic Friday in Suzuka

Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets in second practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, beating both Mercedes drivers and signaling a potential shift in the competitive order on a Friday filled with off-track drama. Max Verstappen was summoned to the stewards twice, while Honda addressed public comments from Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso announced he had become a father.

Why it matters:

Piastri's pace provides a crucial morale boost for McLaren and a warning to Mercedes that their early-season advantage may not be absolute. Verstappen's repeated visits to the stewards highlight the intense scrutiny and pressure drivers face, even in practice sessions. Collectively, the events set a tense and unpredictable stage for the rest of the weekend at a demanding circuit like Suzuka.

The details:

• Piastri Paces FP2: Oscar Piastri set the fastest time in FP2, displacing the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. This performance is a significant positive for the Australian driver, who has yet to complete a racing lap this season due to retirements, and suggests McLaren may have found a better setup window.
• Verstappen's Busy Day: Max Verstappen was called to the stewards on two separate occasions.
  • The first involved a near-miss with Lewis Hamilton in FP1, where Verstappen had to take evasive action. The stewards took no further action against Hamilton.
  • The second summons was related to an incident with Franco Colapinto during FP2. Colapinto was let off with a warning.
• Honda Responds to Newey: Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe responded to recent critical comments from Aston Martin's Adrian Newey, calling them a "misunderstanding" and insisting the relationship between the engineer and the Japanese power unit supplier remains good.
• Alonso Becomes a Father: Fernando Alonso confirmed the birth of his first child, calling it a "super happy moment" and a relief after some initial "stress and worry." He stated both mother and baby were doing well.
• Journalist Reacts: The journalist ejected by Max Verstappen from a Thursday press conference over a question from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has given his account of the event, though no formal apology from Verstappen has been issued.

What's next:

All eyes turn to Saturday's final practice and qualifying session. Piastri's FP2 lap will put pressure on Mercedes to respond and raises questions about McLaren's one-lap potential. Teams will also be analyzing long-run data to understand the true race pace, which often tells a different story at Suzuka. The off-track narratives surrounding Verstappen and Honda will continue to simmer in the background as the competitive on-track action takes center stage.