Starting Grid For The 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli scores a second career pole position in Suzuka after going fastest in qualifying. Full 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix starting grid.
Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli poses with his pole position award after the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in Suzuka, Mie prefecture on March 28, 2026. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured a second career pole position after going fastest in Saturday’s qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix. Having made history last time out in China as the youngest pole sitter in F1, the Italian followed that up with another one in Suzuka, beating teammate George Russell to pole by nearly three-tenths.
The 19-year-old will be aiming to convert the advantage into back-to-back victories after becoming the second-youngest grand prix winner in Shanghai , just shy of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will line up in third and fifth respectively, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari sandwiched between them. Further down, Lewis Hamilton secured sixth in the other Ferrari ahead of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, who has now outqualified teammate Verstappen two times in three races.
Verstappen will start the race in a lowly 11th in his problematic RB22 car after missing out on the last segment of qualifying (Q3) by nearly two-tenths to Arvid Lindblad of sister team Racing Bulls. Lindblad lines up in 10th place behind Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi. Elsewhere, the Cadillac duo of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were both eliminated in the first segment of qualifying and clocked the 19th and 20th fastest times, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli poses with his pole position award after the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in Suzuka, Mie prefecture on March 28, 2026. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images MORE FROM FORBES F1 Cancels Bahrain And Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Middle East War By Yara Elshebiny Starting Grid For The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix Here’s the starting order for the Japanese GP in Suzuka Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 1:28. 778 George Russell (Mercedes): +0.