Antonelli confirms F1 title ambitions – Jose Carlos de Celis
George Russell appeared destined to win the championship with relative ease this yr following Mercedes’ sturdy begin underneath the brand new 2026 F1 guidelines. However abruptly, his team-mate Kimi Antonelli has earned the appropriate to be thought of, on the very least, a contender for the title.
The Italian, who already took a file pole in China and secured his first victory on a tough Sunday for Russell, did it once more in Japan along with his second consecutive pole and one other win. Sure, he benefited from the security automobile that handed him the lead — however what if that’s what you name “champion’s luck”?
A poor begin from pole price him a number of positions, however after inheriting the lead behind the security automobile, he didn’t put a foot improper till the chequered flag.
After a rookie season in 2025 that introduced the anticipated ups and downs, we at the moment are beginning to see a extra mature Antonelli.
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McLaren had been the massive absentee in Formulation 1’s new period. Oscar Piastri was unable to start out his residence race after crashing on the way in which to the grid, and Norris may solely handle fifth in Melbourne. Then issues went from dangerous to worse in China, the place neither driver may take the beginning as a consequence of separate electrical points.
It took a while, however each McLarens began the race in Suzuka and the group was within the combat, particularly with Piastri, who made an ideal getaway from third on the grid and led the pack till his pit cease on lap 18.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Whereas the security automobile following Oliver Bearman’s heavy crash labored in his favour, Piastri’s second place was a well-deserved reward for a robust race from each the Australian and the group.
With a month to go till the following spherical in Miami, it stays to be seen whether or not that is really the place to begin for McLaren’s season or simply an remoted outcome.
Suzuka places professionals and cons of F1 2026 laws – Fil Cleeren
The third grand prix of the season has largely adopted the blueprint of the earlier weekends in Melbourne and Shanghai. In stark distinction with final yr’s parade, Suzuka offered an entertaining afternoon with numerous passing and repassing. A few of that was trivial battery associated overtaking, however not all of it.
However Bearman’s scary crash additionally additional confirmed present security considerations round closing speeds are nonetheless legitimate, and Saturday’s fierce driver pushback in opposition to the dearth of flat-out driving in qualifying additionally bolstered the necessity for laws tweaks earlier than the following race in Miami. Suzuka ought to be a wake-up name for F1 on a number of fronts, with crunch talks to observe in two weeks.
Pink Bull now a midfield group in F1 – Oleg Karpov
Apparently, Melbourne wasn’t a real reflection. What appeared like an honest and promising begin for Pink Bull with its personal energy unit now seems to have been an outlier. The Milton Keynes outfit failed to verify that type in China – and now for a second weekend in a row in Japan.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Workforce
Photograph by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photos
McLaren has since recovered – and even Alpine seems to be stronger at occasions. It suggests the season goes to be far more difficult than it initially appeared, which is definitely not serving to Max Verstappen really feel any higher about Formulation 1 as an entire.
“We are able to see that Melbourne was higher,” he instructed reporters in Suzuka on Saturday. “After which by some means some issues occurred with the automobile with out even having touched it. That’s at all times an enormous drawback.”
Verstappen combating with Pierre Gasly throughout the race, and Isack Hadjar ending behind Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg, clearly reveals Pink Bull’s present place in F1 – it’s within the midfield.
Race begins are a chink within the Mercedes armour – Ed Hardy
Mercedes is the dominant group in Formulation 1 2026. The Silver Arrows lead the championship having received each race from pole and it’s seemingly a straight-up combat between Russell and Antonelli for the drivers’ title.
The prevalence of the W17 is down to numerous components from the chassis to its energy unit and environment friendly vitality deployment, although Suzuka proved that the automobile isn’t excellent. That’s as a result of for the third grand prix in a row, Mercedes has misplaced the lead at race begin with both the Ferrari drivers or Piastri being those to profit.
This comes after adjustments to the race begin process, as a result of the 2026 automobiles have eliminated the MGU-H which means drivers should rev their engines excessive for no less than 10 seconds to spool up the turbo for a quick getaway. However for no matter purpose, normally all the way down to lack of battery energy, Mercedes has failed to try this for a grand prix this yr with the China dash being the one time it’s saved the lead at race begin.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
After all the W17 being superior in every single place else has helped Russell and Antonelli combat again to the entrance because the race has progressed, however that isn’t sustainable as groups behind will inevitably shut in. So if Mercedes is to stay the outright dominant outfit, it’ll have to get a grip of those race begins as quickly as doable…
Images from Japanese GP – Sunday
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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