Finishing the second day of free practice in the lead, "it's not going to be very representative for the weekend even if it's likely to rain on Sunday", admitted George Russell (Mercedes).

"It will be dry tomorrow (Saturday) but whatever, it's still nice, it was a good afternoon," continued the 24-year-old driver, who expects "to fight in the top 6, like usual, and maybe better".

Russell, 4th in the championship, is the only non-Ferrari or Red Bull driver to have secured pole position this season in Hungary.

He will look to do it again on Saturday at 4 p.m. local time (9 a.m. French time, 7 a.m. GMT).

"Everything starts from scratch"

Japan is expecting 190,000 spectators this weekend, with a sold-out race Sunday with 90,000 fans, for its first Grand Prix in three years due to the pandemic.

Formula 1: Japanese Grand Prix AFP

Max Verstappen, undisputed leader of the world championship before this 18th round (out of 22), finished this first Japanese day in 3rd place in practice, almost a second behind Russell.

"We are lucky to have been able to ride today," said Verstappen, for whom "everything starts from scratch tomorrow in the dry".

The Dutchman, defending champion, can be crowned again on Sunday if he wins by winning the point for the fastest lap in the race.

Other results can also see him crowned, but it will depend on the result of his two pursuers: he must take eight points from Charles Leclerc and six from Sergio Pérez, behind for the moment by 104 and 106 points respectively.

Verstappen has never won in Japan but, since the last edition in 2019, Red Bull has become the best team on the board and the Dutchman world champion.

Suzuka has been a Mercedes preserve since 2014, with four wins for Lewis Hamilton, one for Nico Rosberg (2016) and one for Valtteri Bottas (2019).

Circuit already renowned for its technicality, Suzuka has been made even more tricky by the rain, with gullies and puddles forming in places.

"It's incredible on a wet track," said Hamilton, 2nd in practice on Friday.

Even if the weather will be different on Saturday, "there are always things to take, in terms of settings, tire temperature, etc.".

The only figure-8 circuit on the calendar, Suzuka is "such an iconic circuit, really one of the best in the world" for Russell.

"It's always special when you do your first lap here, you think of all the legends, when you get to the last chicane you think of the crash between Ayrton (Senna) and Prost (in 1989, editor's note). It's a privilege to drive here," according to Hamilton.

The legendary route had an unfortunate Friday with Mick Schumacher (Haas).

After the checkered flag signifying the end of the first session, the German went out alone into the wall and damaged his car without being able to bring it back to the garage.

German driver Mick Schumacher (Haas) gets out of his damaged single-seater during free practice for the Japanese GP on October 7, 2022 Toshifumi KITAMURA AFP

The driver is unscathed, but this incident caused too much damage to his chassis, which must be replaced, and Michael's son was unable to participate in the second session.

It will certainly not help him in his quest to keep his place in F1 next year.

© 2022 AFP