The third Formula 1 race weekend of 2025 is upon us. Action from the iconic Suzuka Circuit kicks off with the first free practice session of Friday, and you can follow all the action here on GPblog.
F1 LIVE | Follow FP1 for the Japanese Grand Prix below
There are a few things to be looking out for this weekend in Japan. Whilst McLaren looks to continue their early winning streak, all eyes will be on Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda who takes the place of Liam Lawson after the Chinese Grand Prix. The Japanese driver, who has been part of Red Bull’s F1 junior team setup since 2021, will be hoping to impress at home in Japan after Lawson struggled in the two opening races.
The Milton Keynes-based squad are also running a special white livery this weekend in order to commemorate their time with engine manufacturer Honda. From 2026, Red Bull will make their own power units with Ford, whilst Honda move to Aston Martin.
Lawson, meanwhile, heads back to the Racing Bulls squad where he has so far spent the majority of his F1 career. The Kiwi will hope to regain confidence in a familiar environment.
Elsewhere, former Red Bull key figure Jonathan Wheatley is set to make his debut with Kick Sauber as their new team principal. Wheatley’s gardening leave is now finished, meaning that he can take the reigns at the soon-to-be Audi squad.
Why is FP1 so important?
FP1 in Formula 1 may seem like a warm-up, but it’s a crucial session that sets the tone for the entire race weekend. It’s the first chance for teams to fine-tune setups and gather vital data on tyres, fuel loads, and track conditions. For rookies and reserve drivers (such as Alpine’s Ryo Hirakawa) it’s an opportunity to gain more experience. Engineers will analyse every lap to optimise performance, while drivers learn the circuit’s grip levels and key braking points.
