Kimi Antonelli heads George Russell in final practice of Japanese GP

Mercedes Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap in the final hour of practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, beating his teammate, George Russell, by two-tenths. 

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Antonelli became the third fastest driver across the Japanese GP weekend, following Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on Friday’s first and second practice sessions, respectively. 

The young Italian, riding on the highs of his first grand prix victory last time out in China, topped the timing boards with a 1m 29.362s, beating Russell by 0.254s. 

When the pit exit light turned green to signal the start of the final practice session, there was no big rush to head out onto the Suzuka Circuit. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, equipped with the medium compounds, was the first driver out on track and had it all to himself for a moment. 

The rest of the pack soon started to drip out onto the circuit, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton setting the initial competitive benchmark to beat, a 1m 31.056s. 

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By the halfway mark, Antonelli jumped to the top of the timing boards with a 1m 30.418s as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Russell rounded out the top three, just over a tenth behind. Just after the last 20 minutes of the session, Antonelli topped the timing boards with a 1m 29.362s, putting him ahead of Russell by 0.254s. 

The Mercedes pair were the only drivers to break into the 1m 29s, with their closest rival, Leclerc, sitting within the 1m 30s, 0.8 seconds behind. 

Across the session, all 22 drivers were able to get out onto the circuit. McLaren’s reigning world champion, Lando Norris, was the last driver to get out onto the Japanese circuit after being stuck in the garage for nearly 40 minutes. A moment where it looked like the Briton would not get out for final practice. 

The team had found an issue on the world champion’s ERS pack, ahead of the final hour of practice, which required a replacement, hindering Norris’ ability to get out for some meaningful running. 

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The session wasn’t without issue as Haas’ Oliver Bearman brought out the yellow flags. The British driver lost control of his car on the exit of Spoon Curve, dragging his car across the track in a slide. Thankfully, the British driver was able to get the car pointed in the right direction before he hit the barrier.

The Haas driver quickly made his way back into the pits for an inspection and a fresh change of tyres. 

So, who finished where in the final hour of practice?

1. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – 1m 29.362s
2. George Russell, Mercedes +0.254s
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.867s
4. Oscar Piastri, McLaren +1.002s
5. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari +1.021s
6. Lando Norris, McLaren +1.238s
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi +1.296s
8. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +1.548s
9. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi +1.638s
10. Pierre Gasly, Alpine +1.720s
11. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing +1.732s
12. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls +1.735s
13. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls +1.926s
14. Esteban Ocon, Haas +1.964s
15. Oliver Bearman, Haas +2.196s
16. Alexander Albon, Williams +2.371s
17. Franco Colapinto, Alpine +2.397s
18. Carlos Sainz, Williams +2.467s
19. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac +3.141s
20. Sergio Perez, Cadillac +3.178s
21. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +4.123s
22. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +4.167s

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Alexander Albon avoids punishment for causing collision at Japan GP
• George Russell pips Kimi Antonelli in Japanese GP FP1
• Japan Grand Prix Preview: Mercedes look to extend dominance in Suzuka
• Mercedes reveals new ‘livery’ for Japanese GP
• Progress at Aston Martin despite a difficult start F1 season
• Haas F1 reveal special Japanese Grand Prix livery

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.