Kimi Antonelli rockets to pole for the F1 Japanese Grand Prix

SUZUKA, JAPAN - MARCH 28: Pole position qualifier Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Second placed qualifier George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Third placed qualifier Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren look on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 28, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) | Getty Images Three Grand Prix qualifying sessions, three front row lockouts for Mercedes. The Silver Arrows have been the dominant force so far this Formula 1 season, and that trend continued Saturday in Suzuka.

Kimi Antonelli beat out teammate George Russell for pole position, marking the third time that Mercedes locked out the front row this season, and the second consecutive pole position for the young driver. “Yeah, I’m super happy with the session,” said Antonelli trackside to Jean Alesi. “It was a good one.

It was a clean one and I felt very good in the car. Every run I was just improving and improving. It was a shame for the last lap because I locked up in Turn 11, but it was a good one as well.

I’m really happy with the session and now we’ll focus on tomorrow. ” The session also saw something of a step forward from McLaren, as the defending Constructors’ Champions look to bounce back after both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical failures. Piastri qualified third ahead of Charles Leclerc in fourth, while Norris took fifth ahead of Lewis Hamilton in sixth.