Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with a second consecutive win, this time at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver produced a calm and impressive performance at Suzuka to finish 13.7 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri.The race started with plenty of action. Antonelli started from pole position with teammate George Russell, but neither could get a clean launch. Piastri took full advantage of this, taking the lead at the first corner and taking control of the early stages. Meanwhile, Antonelli dropped down the order and found himself in sixth place after the opening lap.However, the young Italian quickly regained his composure and began to work his way back onto the field. A crucial moment came on lap 22 when Oliver Bearman lost control of his Haas and collided with the barriers, bringing out the safety car. Bearman was able to get out of the car and was later confirmed to be OK. The interruption proved crucial, allowing Antonelli to regain control of the race after the restart.
Once it came to the fore, there was no looking back. Antonelli continued to push back, underlining Mercedes’ tight grip on the new 2026 regulations. Behind him, Piastri finished second, while Charles Leclerc took third for Ferrari. Russell crossed the line in fourth place, followed by Lando Norris in fifth. Lewis Hamilton came sixth, continuing Ferrari’s improved performance after a podium finish in China.Further down the order, Pierre Gasly finished seventh for Alpine, while defending world champion Max Verstappen could only manage eighth after struggling throughout the weekend. Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.Antonelli’s latest victory comes just two weeks after his first victory in China, where he became the second youngest race winner in Formula 1 history behind Verstappen. With 72 points from three races, he now leads the drivers’ standings, becoming the youngest driver ever to do so.Mercedes have now won all three races this season, with Russell taking victory in the opening round in Australia. Early indications suggest that teams have found the right formula under the new rules, while others are still working on it. Formula 1 will now take a short break after the cancellation of events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the next race taking place in Miami on May 3.
(TagstoTranslate)Formula 1(T)Mercedes(T)Kimi Antonelli(T)2026 Formula 1 season(T)Japanese Grand Prix(T)Oscar Piastri(T)Max Verstappen(T)George Russell(T)Charles Leclerc(T)Miami Grand Prix
