Mercedes pair Russell and Hamilton edge Verstappen in wet Japanese GP second practice

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton made it a Mercedes one-two ahead of title-chasing Max Verstappen in a soggy second practice on Friday for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Runaway Red Bull leader Verstappen can clinch his second straight world title on Sunday if he wins the race with the fastest lap, no matter what his rivals do.

The Dutchman will also retain his crown if he wins and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, his nearest challenger, is third or lower.

But Verstappen was beaten to the quickest time in the second practice session by the Mercedes pair, with Russell clocking a fastest lap of 1min 41.935sec.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton followed his fellow Briton 0.235sec behind, with Verstappen coming in third, a sizeable 0.851sec behind Russell.

Leclerc finished 2.774sec behind Russell in 11th.

"It wasn't a complete disaster with the weather," said Verstappen.

"We could at least get round and do a little bit of stuff, but in terms of knowing where you are with pace, in the wet it's always a bit tricky."

A rainy start to the session at Suzuka meant the drivers began on wet tyres but switched to intermediates once the conditions improved.

That did not satisfy Verstappen though, with the flying Dutchman telling his team "all tyres are s---, no grip", over the radio.

Dry conditions are expected for Saturday's qualifying but some rain is forecast again for Sunday.

"It's just basically starting from zero tomorrow in the dry but again it's the same for everyone and I don't think it will make massive differences throughout the grid," said Verstappen, 25.

Russell was happy to finish quickest after an oil leak kept him in the garage for most of the first session.

"It's probably not going to be that representative for this weekend but