Super-clipping concerns at Suzuka backed up by fascinating FP2 stats

George Russell led the way early on in FP1 behind teammate Kimi Antonelli and 2025 World Champion Lando Norris, before Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri moved to the top of the timing sheets in FP2 to round off a positive day for McLaren.

However, one of the bigger talking points after Friday's proceedings was the 'super-clipping' occurring between the entry of the iconic 130R corner and the final chicane.

The problems around Suzuka also saw Russell and Lewis Hamilton both criticise the ongoing issue, with Hamilton branding the problem as "challenging stuff".

The telemetry shared by F1 Holiness on Instagram from FP2 does not paint a great picture. On average, teams are losing 53.4 KPH in that area of the third sector despite staying on the throttle, with only five of the 22 drivers outside of the 50s.

Nico Hulkenberg was the only driver who was outside of that margin, losing 46 KPH after 130R, with teammate Gabriel Bortoleto just behind on 51 KPH.

Norris lost 52 KPH in FP2, while Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc were just below the average on 53 KPH. Russell and Piastri lost 54 and 55 KPH, respectively, while Hamilton struggled a little more, losing 58 KPH.

Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, and Franco Colapinto were all losing over 60 KPH through that stretch, with Colapinto losing over 70 KPH of speed.