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.

Updated on: 29 March 2026 5:31 pm

Published at: 29 March 2026 5:31 pm

F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy reacts on the podium after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko

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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

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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

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Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy wins the the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan. | Photo: Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-Arvid Lindblad

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

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-

The safety car leads the field during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka in central Japan. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko

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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

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-Oscar Piastri

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

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-Max Verstappen

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

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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

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka- Lewis Hamilton

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

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F1 GP 2026 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka-McLaren driver Oscar Piastri

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