Mercedes started the weekend on the right foot after a devastating double DNF last time out, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton both inside the top five at a track which their drivers love to go well on.
Home favourite Yuki Tsunoda ended the session in ninth place for Visa Cash App RB while fellow countryman and FP1 debutant Ayumu Iwasa finished in 15th place.
McLaren appear to be waiting to deploy their pace, after Oscar Piastri ended the session in eighth ahead of Lando Norris in tenth.
Today, Formula 1 heads to Suzuka for the first day of action at the Japanese Grand Prix. We have two sessions today, with FP1 having started at 10.30pm EDT or 7.30pm PDT (11.30am local time) and FP2 kicking off from 2.00am EDT or 11pm PDT (3pm local time).
Who is the current F1 world champion?
The imperious Max Verstappen is the current reigning Formula 1 champion, having won three consecutive titles between 2021 and 2023.