Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix and takes F1 championship lead

Japanese Grand Prix delivered a dramatic race at Suzuka, where Kimi Antonelli claimed victory and became the youngest championship leader in Formula One history.

The Mercedes driver secured his second consecutive win of the 2026 season, overcoming a difficult start that dropped him down the order before recovering with strong pace and strategy. A key moment came after a Safety Car period triggered by a crash involving Oliver Bearman, which allowed Antonelli to regain track position and take control of the race.

Antonelli crossed the finish line ahead of Oscar Piastri, who finished second for McLaren, while Charles Leclerc completed the podium for Ferrari.

Meanwhile, teammate George Russell finished fourth and lost the lead of the championship, with Antonelli now moving to the top of the standings by a margin of nine points.

The race also saw a challenging outing for several drivers, including Max Verstappen, who finished outside the podium positions, and Sergio Pérez, who ended further down the order after struggling throughout the weekend.

With back-to-back victories, Antonelli confirms Mercedes’ early dominance in the 2026 season and emerges as a serious contender for the world title.