Kimi Antonelli continued his remarkable rise in Formula 1 by winning the Japanese Grand Prix, securing his second win in a row and moving to the top of the 2026 drivers’ standings. At just 19, the Mercedes driver became the youngest championship leader in F1 history with 72 points after three races.
Antonelli started from pole position and endured a difficult opening lap, dropping to sixth after being overtaken at Turn 1. However, the Italian steadily recovered his race and worked his way back through the field thanks to consistent lap pace and smart tire management. After a perfectly timed pit stop under the safety car, he finally took control of the race and crossed the finish line 13.7 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastre.
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Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, while Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell came home fourth to maintain Mercedes’ good start to the season. Lando Norris finished fifth, followed by Lewis Hamilton in sixth, as Ferrari showed improved competitiveness compared to last season.
The turning point came on lap 22 when Oliver Bearman crashed heavily after running onto the grass while chasing Franco Colapinto and triggered the safety car. With several of the front runners, including Russell, already pitted, Antonelli was able to stop under the safety car and maintain track position, effectively sealing control of the race.
“I was lucky with the safety car, but the pace was unbelievable in the end,” Antonelli said on team radio after the race, highlighting both the strategic break and the strong final stint.
The win also marked a historic milestone as Antonelli became the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953 to win back-to-back Formula 1 races. This was followed by his first victory in China, where he also started from pole position, making him one of the youngest race winners in the history of the sport.
HOW MERCEDES EXTENDED DOMINANCE
Mercedes have made a flawless start to the 2026 season, winning all three races so far and taking early control in both championships.
Antonelli now leads the standings with 72 points, nine points ahead of Russell, who is consistently finishing in the top four. Between them, the Mercedes pair achieved two wins, a second place and some strong points, giving the team a clear advantage over their rivals.
The team’s success was built on their quick adaptation to the new 2026 regulations, which include a 50:50 split of internal combustion and electric power. Their car demonstrated superior balance, tire control and straight-line efficiency compared to the competition.
Antonelli’s recovery run at Suzuka further underlined the car’s strength. Despite dropping to sixth on the opening lap, he was only able to regain positions through pace before capitalizing on strategy and eventually dominating the final stint of the race.
SAFETY CAR SWINGS AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
While Antonelli benefited from the timing of the safety car, several drivers suffered from missed opportunities.
Russell’s early pit stop proved costly and put him out of contention for the win despite strong pace throughout the race. Norris, who also gained track position under the safety car, was unable to make it onto the podium.
The race was briefly neutralized after Bearman’s crash resulted in a bruised right knee but no fractures, according to team updates. The incident highlighted the fine margins at Suzuka, where high-speed sections punish even the smallest mistakes.
Further down the order, Max Verstappen could only manage eighth for Red Bull, while Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the points.
Despite the breaks and shifting strategies, Antonelli remained composed at the front, handling the restart cleanly and driving away in the closing laps. His second win in a row not only boosted his championship chances but also signals a potential changing of the guard in Formula 1.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 29, 2026 1:41 PM IST
