Formula 1 News: Antonelli wins 2nd F1 race in row at Japanese GP

Suzuka, Japan – March 29, 2026 – Kimi Antonelli (pictured) delivered a commanding performance to win the Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, securing his second consecutive victory of the 2026 season and taking the lead of the Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes. The 19-year-old Italian crossed the line first after 53 laps with a winning time of 1:28:03.403, finishing 13.722 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Antonelli started the race from sixth position following a poor launch off the grid despite having claimed pole position in qualifying with a time of 1:28.778s. Oscar Piastri made a stunning start from third on the grid to seize the lead into Turn 1. Mercedes teammate George Russell, who qualified second, initially challenged for the lead but was unable to pass Piastri.

Early pit stops began around lap 17, but the race was turned by a heavy crash for Haas driver Oliver Bearman at Turn 13 on lap 22, which deployed the Safety Car.

Here’s the moment Bearman went into the barriers at Spoon #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/XmurXApWkp

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 29, 2026

Antonelli, who had yet to pit and was running provisionally at the front, stopped under the Safety Car and rejoined in first place. The Safety Car was withdrawn on lap 27, and Antonelli pulled away smoothly on the restart, building a gap that reached nearly five seconds by lap 35 and ultimately 13.722 seconds at the flag.

Further back, battles included Charles Leclerc overtaking Lewis Hamilton on lap 42. Russell briefly took third from Leclerc with two laps remaining but lost the position back at Turn 1 on the final lap.

Lando Norris also overtook Hamilton on the penultimate lap to secure fifth. Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly traded positions in the closing stages.

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) retired on lap 30 with a suspected water pressure issue, while Bearman’s crash ended his race on lap 20. All other classified finishers completed 53 laps on a one-stop strategy (most starting on medium tires).

The victory marks Antonelli’s second win in a row and moves him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship with 72 points, nine points clear of teammate George Russell. He becomes the youngest driver in F1 history to lead the standings.

“It feels pretty good. Of course it’s still early days to think about the championship, but we’re on a good way,” said Antonelli. “In the race, I had a terrible start—I just need to check what happened—but then I was lucky with the Safety Car to be in the lead. Then the pace was just incredible, and it was a really nice second stint. I felt very good with the car and very pleased with that.”

2026 Japanese Grand Prix – Full Race Results