Lando Norris overcame a few early session balance issues and an off or three to set the pace in FP1 for the Japanese Grand Prix. The McLaren driver laid down a 1:28.549 on the soft Pirelli tyres to beat George Russell in the Mercedes by 0.

Haas have a much smaller set-up, putting Hirakawa at the front of the line for a full-time drive. Esteban Ocon is viewed as a long-term leader for Komatsu’s squad, but Oliver Bearman’s Ferrari links mean that a promotion to the Scuderia, once Lewis Hamilton retires, could create an opportunity for the Japanese racer.