Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 Championship Leader After Suzuka Masterclass
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli became the youngest-ever Formula One championship leader on Sunday. The 19-year-old secured his second consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix 2026. Antonelli started on pole but dropped to sixth after a poor start. He regained the lead during a mid-race Safety Car period. The Safety Car followed a high-speed 50G crash involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Bearman was cleared of fractures but sustained a knee contusion. Oscar Piastri finished second for McLaren, while Charles Leclerc took third. Max Verstappen finished eighth. Antonelli now leads the standings with 72 points, nine ahead of teammate George Russell.
Race winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy stands with second placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, left, of Australia, third placed Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, right, of Monaco and Giacomo Tortora, second left, Director of Car Design at Mercedes on the podium following the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates with his teammates during a group photo after Antonelli won the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race in Suzuka, central Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy wins the the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan. | Photo: Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad of Britain during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP
The safety car leads the field during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Hiro Komae
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia leads the field at the start of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
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