HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from the second practice session in Japan as Verstappen sets the pace

Max Verstappen made it a Friday practice clean sweep as the championship leader topped the timesheets in FP2 in Japan, comfortably leading rivals Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris as preparations ramped up at Suzuka.

On his qualifying simulation lap, Verstappen completed a lap of 1m 30.688s to lead Leclerc by 0.320s, with Norris a tenth back in third. Carlos Sainz followed up his earlier P2 effort in FP1 with a run to fourth, while George Russell rounded out the top five for Mercedes.

FP2: Verstappen leads Leclerc and Norris to stay on top during second practice at Suzuka

Fernando Alonso was sixth fastest for Aston Martin, while Alex Albon continued to show a good turn of pace in his Williams to go seventh, ahead of the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri, with Sergio Perez in ninth, and Valtteri Bottas rounding out the top-10 for Alfa Romeo.

It was not the greatest day for Alpine, as it ended with Pierre Gasly crashing into the barrier at Degner two. This brought a premature end to the session and to the first day of running in Japan as the red flags were waved.

To relive the action from the second practice session, click on the video player above and join us again on Saturday for FP3 and qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.