Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after successful the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix on the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, March 29, 2026. /VCG
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes received his second consecutive Formula 1 race, taking the chequered flag at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka forward of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed third, with George Russell of Mercedes fourth. McLaren’s Lando Norris positioned fifth, whereas Lewis Hamilton rounded out the highest six for Ferrari on a transparent, sunny spring afternoon.
Max Verstappen’s gradual begin to 2026 continued, with Red Bull’s four-time former world champion settling for eighth place behind ex-teammate Pierre Gasly, who now drives for Alpine.
The 19-year-old Antonelli received on the F1 degree for the primary time in his profession two weeks in the past on the Chinese Grand Prix, the second-youngest race winner in historical past. Verstappen set the file in 2016 on the age of 18.
Antonelli’s triumph in Shanghai was additionally completed from the pole, after he grew to become the youngest to ever declare the lead spot on the grid. He now leads the season standings with 72 factors.
Record-tying seven-time former world champion Hamilton completed final yr with out a podium, in his first marketing campaign after leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, however claimed third place earlier this month in China. The 41-year-old Briton got here shut to a different podium in Japan, underscoring Ferrari’s rekindled competitiveness, a component sorely lacking for a lot of final season.
“Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes badly, but this time it went well for me and I’m very grateful for that,” mentioned Antonelli. “Now I’m going to enjoy the win, but at the same time, I’m gonna work hard on the areas where we need to improve. Of course, we have three weeks now to recharge. I’m just gonna need to come back stronger and I need to raise my game.”
Formula 1 will now take a five-week break, with races initially scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia known as off because of the struggle in Middle East. The subsequent Grand Prix is slated for May 3 in Miami.
Source: CGTN