Kimi räikkönen paces opening f1 practice at suzuka

Mercedes driver Kimi Räikkönen led the way in opening Formula 1 practice at Suzuka on Friday, setting the fastest time of the session ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and teammate George Russell.

Räikkönen's pace a surprise to some, but not mercedes

Räikkönen, who turns 41 next month, has defied expectations this season with his performances for the Mercedes team. The Finnish veteran has consistently outpaced his younger teammate George Russell, who has thus far struggled to match Räikkönen's speed.

While many expected Russell to be the Mercedes driver to beat in Suzuka, Räikkönen's 1:30.356 lap time put him 0.219 seconds ahead of his British rival. Piastri, in his debut season with McLaren, was a surprise third quickest.

Räikkönen said after the session that Mercedes had completed their planned program and gathered data on all three tire compounds. However, he acknowledged the team still had work to do to close the gap to the frontrunners.