Russell just fastest in first Japan practice as McLaren show promise too

George Russell pipped team-mate Kimi Antonelli to the fastest time of first practice in an early show of Mercedes strength around Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Russell, who leads the championship after the season's first two races by four points from Antonelli - who won his maiden race last time out in China - clocked a best time of 1:31.666 mid-way through the session on soft tyres with his Italian team-mate 0.026s behind.