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Oscar Piastri stuns at Japanese GP FP2: Jenson Button warns of Mercedes’ hidden pace

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
March 27, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

Oscar Piastri Shocks the Grid: Jenson Button Sounds the Alarm on Mercedes’ Hidden Power

In a stunning turn of events at the Suzuka Circuit, McLaren's rising star Oscar Piastri has stolen the spotlight by topping the timesheets during the second practice session (FP2) ahead of the highly anticipated Japanese Grand Prix. However, the 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has thrown cold water on the celebrations, warning fans not to get too carried away.

While Piastri edged out formidable competitors like Mercedes’ George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Button cautioned that the Brackley powerhouse may still be holding back its true performance. “We don’t know what Mercedes is holding back, do we?” Button stated emphatically during an interview with Sky Sports F1. His words serve as a stark reminder that the true capabilities of the competition are yet to be revealed.

Piastri, showcasing impeccable form, has had a flawless weekend so far, displaying no issues during practice. Button acknowledged this impressive performance, suggesting that the Australian driver appears ready to contend for pole position. “Oscar's been on it all weekend. He looks like he should be part of the team fighting for pole position,” he remarked, underscoring the young driver’s potential.

Meanwhile, Piastri’s teammate, the ever-talented Lando Norris, clocked in with the fourth-fastest time despite facing setbacks due to a hydraulic issue that limited his track time. “Hydraulic, I think, I couldn't do more than one lap at the beginning, and then it seemed to get a bit better at the end, but I just lacked a lot of laps,” Norris explained post-session. His struggles highlight the challenges drivers face in preparing for a race weekend, especially at a demanding circuit like Suzuka.

Adding to the conversation, former Aston Martin strategist and Sky Sports F1 presenter Bernie Collins emphasized the importance of practice laps for building driver confidence. “It’s not ideal to miss laps in an FP session at any circuit, particularly here,” Collins noted. She expressed confidence that Norris, with his wealth of experience, would analyze Piastri’s data and adapt swiftly. “I think someone of Lando Norris's ability will recover,” she asserted, hinting at the potential for a strong comeback.

This season has not been kind to McLaren as they grapple with consistency. Despite Norris’ commendable fifth-place finish in the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix and a solid fourth in the Chinese sprint race, both drivers faced the disappointment of failing to start the Chinese Grand Prix. To make matters worse, Piastri is still seeking his first race start in 2026, adding to the pressure on the team as they strive to turn their fortunes around.

As the excitement builds ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if Piastri can maintain his momentum or if the formidable Mercedes team will unleash their full potential when it matters most. Will McLaren’s young gun rise to the occasion or will the seasoned giants of Mercedes reclaim their dominance? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the battle on the track is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle.

Tags: australian-grand-prixformula-1-enjapanese-grand-prixJenson ButtonLando NorrisMcLarenMercedesOscar Piastri
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