Formula 1 News: Antonelli leads Mercedes domination of Japanese GP qualfying

In one of the most dominating qualifying sessions of the young 2026 season, Italian teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli (pictured) produced a moment of pure genius to claim pole position for the 2026 Japanese GP Formula 1 race at Suzuka. The 19-year-old Mercedes rookie, in only his third Formula 1 weekend, delivered a breathtaking lap of 1m28.778s in Q3 – almost three-tenths clear of teammate George Russell. Everyone else? Out to lunch!

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The 5.807 km Suzuka circuit, bathed in bright sunshine and perfect 18°C conditions with zero wind, played host to a session full of drama under the all-new 2026 regulations. Lower power units, active aerodynamics and revised tire compounds created a razor-sharp balance between outright speed and tire management – and Mercedes nailed it.

Session summary

Q1 saw all 22 cars hit the track early. The two new teams – Audi and Cadillac – showed promising one-lap pace, while the Aston Martins looked immediately off the boil. No major incidents, but traffic was heavy in the final minutes as drivers fought for a clean final run. Bottom seven eliminated: the two Astons, both Cadillacs, Bearman (Haas), Sainz (Williams) and Albon (Williams).

Q2 delivered the biggest shock of the weekend: Max Verstappen, four-time champion and Suzuka specialist, could only manage 11th. The Red Bull RB22 lacked grip through the high-speed esses and Degner curves, leaving Verstappen visibly frustrated on the radio. The top 10 advanced cleanly, with Antonelli and Russell already looking untouchable.

Q3 was pure theater. With just six minutes remaining, Antonelli emerged for his final run and produced a lap that left the paddock stunned. Russell improved but couldn’t match his rookie teammate. Piastri and Leclerc traded blows for third and fourth, while Norris recovered to fifth after a scruffy middle sector. The midfield heroes? Gasly’s Alpine, Hadjar’s Red Bull and the impressive newbies Bortoleto (Audi) and Lindblad (Racing Bulls) all made the top ten.

Driver reaction highlights

– Kimi Antonelli (Pole): “I don’t even have the words. The car felt alive today – I just trusted it through 130R and it paid off. To do this at Suzuka… dream come true.”
– George Russell: “Proud of the team, proud of Kimi. That kid is special. We’ll fight hard tomorrow.”
– Max Verstappen (P11): “We just didn’t have the balance. No excuses – the car wasn’t there when it mattered. We’ll look at the data and come back stronger in the race.”
– Toto Wolff (Mercedes Team Principal): “Today was magic. Kimi has ice in his veins. This is exactly the statement we wanted to make under the new regs.”

Key talking points
– Mercedes dominance: The W17 was clearly the car to beat around Suzuka’s flowing layout.
– Red Bull concern: Verstappen’s worst qualifying since 2023 raises early alarm bells about their 2026 package.
– New teams impress: Audi and Racing Bulls both placed cars in Q3 – a huge morale boost.
– McLaren & Ferrari competitive but not quite there: Norris and Piastri will be threats in the race, as will the Ferrari duo.
– Aston Martin & Cadillac struggle: Both new/revamped outfits buried at the rear.

2026 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Results (Full Grid)

Tomorrow’s race (53 laps, lights out 14:00 local / 06:00 UK / 02:00 EDT) looks set to be a Mercedes wlak in the park. Can Mercedes convert their qualifying speed into a one-two finish, or will the chasing pack – led by McLaren and Ferrari – exploit the long-run pace and tire strategy? With 22 cars on track and plenty of overtaking opportunities at Suzuka, expect fireworks.