"The brakes are really cold and I have insane pulling. I have an issue on the car. Why is it pulling like this?"

Lewis Hamilton has his first podium for Ferrari in the bag now so the next target will be a race win with the Scuderia. The seven-time world champion has been giving his thoughts on the new regulations after two rounds of the season and he says racing is "much more fun" than any other time in his career.

China was a back and forth fight for position with his team-mate Charles Leclerc, which Hamilton said was "the best battle I've had" since his scrap with former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in Bahrain in 2014.

However, he did stress he wouldn't use the word "love" when it comes to the 2026 rules, just that he likes the smaller, more nimble cars.

Hamilton's just moved up the board with a 1:33.822 on the hard tyre, while Oscar Piastri leads the timesheets on the medium compound.

Image source, Getty Images

Abbie Eaton
British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

There's been some massive positives with the new regulations but I think there's a few issues that need ironing out. I think the ironing out is coming with the new changes that have come in this weekend. F1 are looking at it. But it's still early days.

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent at Suzuka

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Martin have had a troubled start to the season as a result of major reliability and performance issues with their Honda engine, while the car is also behind on development after its design was started late. They are last in the world championship after two races, the worst possible start to their new factory partnership with Honda.

The Japanese manufacturer's first-order issue is a severe vibration from the engine that has been leading to failures in the battery.

Its engineers have been working to isolate the battery, a critical part of the hybrid system, from the vibrations but these have still been causing problems for the rest of the car - Alonso retired in China because holding the steering wheel was proving too painful.

That came after team principal Adrian Newey said at the first race of the season that the vibrations were so bad they were risking permanent nerve damage for the drivers within 25 laps of running.

Jennie Gow
F1 pit-lane reporter at Suzuka

It's sunny with a few little clouds around, but in the sunshine it's lovely and warm. Out of the sunshine, a little bit chilly. This should prove some nice running - wind is non-existent.

First practice is green but there's an Audi not moving at the end of the pit lane, so a few cars need to go round the stricken car to get out on track.

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BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin and British racing driver Abbie Eaton are in position and ready to take us through Friday's two practice sessions at Suzuka.

Click the 'listen live' tab at the top of this page, tune in via the BBC Sounds app if you're like us and already in work or ask your smart speaker to "play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra".

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Fernando Alonso is a late addition to the paddock after missing Thursday's media day because his partner Melissa Jimenez gave birth to their first child earlier this week.

The two-time world champion will be sitting out of this first practice session to make way for Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford, who will be driving the car in one of the team's mandated rookie sessions this year.

Round two in China was another tough day in the office for Aston Martin with Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll both retiring from the race. Spaniard Alonso had to stop with 23 laps to go after feeling the effects of the vibrations from the Honda engine.

Mercedes secured another one-two finish in Shanghai and now sit 31 points clear of Ferrari in second place in the constructors' standings.

Reigning champions McLaren are third despite Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris failing to take part in the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago. They are one point above Haas at this early stage, with the American team riding high in fifth, five points clear of Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

George Russell's Chinese Grand Prix ended with a sprint victory and a second place in the main race and he leads Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who won in Shanghai, by four points at the top of the drivers' championship.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are separated by one point in third and fourth and Haas' Oliver Bearman is in the top five after scoring points in the opening grands prix and the shorter sprint last time out.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Hello, folks. We are all night owls once again as the 2026 Formula 1 season arrives at the iconic Suzuka circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix.

We left off in China with Mercedes sealing the top spot in both the sprint race and main grand prix, with teenager Kimi Antonelli tearfully celebrating his maiden F1 victory from pole position on Sunday.

It was also a mini Silver Arrows reunion in Shanghai, as ex-driver Lewis Hamilton stood alongside Antonelli and former team-mate George Russell after securing his first proper podium for Ferrari since joining the Italian team last year.

If you missed the news two weeks ago, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April have been cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East. So after Japan, the next race will be in Miami at the beginning of May in five weeks' time.