2025 Japanese Grand Prix – Friday

Suzuka, 4 April 2025 – Track time in preparation for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was cut short on Friday with four red flags interrupting the second practice session. It had been a smooth FP1 for Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, allowing the team to evaluate its updated floor and rear wing set-up, while Gabriel Bortoleto completed his first ever laps on one of the world’s most demanding racetracks. The team will now analyse the data gathered overnight to be prepared for FP3 and Qualifying on Saturday.

Nico Hulkenberg (car number 27):
FP1: 17th / 1:30.023 (21 laps)
FP2: 12th / 1:29.062 (12 laps)

“I think Friday was okay. FP2 was obviously very limited – we didn’t deliver as many laps as planned because of the four red flags. But that’s the same for everyone, it means we have a limited amount of data and limited information, but the car felt okay and a bit better than in FP1. Obviously, it was difficult to retrieve a proper read and understand everyone’s performance this afternoon. We‘re analysing everything now to optimise the set-up for tomorrow.”

Gabriel Bortoleto (car number 5):
FP1: 20th / 1:30.147 (26 laps)
FP2: 13th / 1:29.335 (13 laps)

“Today has been a positive first day on track; I was really looking forward to driving in Suzuka, and I enjoyed every second of it. It’s possibly the most beautiful track I have ever been to. FP1 went smoothly and allowed us to go through our plan. FP2, on the other hand, has been pretty eventful, with several red flags. We didn’t manage to complete our programme for the session, but I doubt anyone did – still, we’re going to be working on the learnings from today as we are trying to extract as much as possible from the data we gathered ahead of tomorrow.”