Piastri outshines Mercedes duo to go fastest in Japan practice

SUZUKA: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time in Friday’s second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, usurping the dominant Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Piastri is yet to start a grand prix this season but the Australian gave a reminder of his talent with a lap of 1min 30.133sec in dry, sunny conditions at Suzuka. The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his career in China two weeks ago, was second, 0.092sec behind Piastri. Early championship leader Russell, who was fastest in the morning practice ahead of Antonelli, was third.