Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to overtake Russell in race for title
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates back-to-back victories - Hiro Komae/AP Teenager Kimi Antonelli claimed his second successive victory, as well as the lead of the drivers’ championship, after Mercedes team-mate George Russell suffered terrible luck midway through Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. Russell had fought his way back to the front after another action-packed start at Suzuka under these new 2026 regulations. The Briton was just behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri after stopping on Lap 21 and within striking distance of the Australian on fresher tyres.
But a safety car which came out on Lap 22, as a result of a massive 50G shunt involving Britain’s Ollie Bearman , badly hurt Russell’s chances, while giving Antonelli a free stop. “Unbelievable,” a clearly frustrated Russell said over the radio. “Wow, ----, our luck in these last two races.
” Antonelli, who had dropped from first to sixth after getting wheelspin in a disastrous start, duly emerged in the lead of the race once the safety car was withdrawn. And the Italian was able to hang on for the win, with Piastri second and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had passed Russell at the restart to add salt to the Briton’s wounds, holding on for the final podium spot. There is now a big gap until Miami at the start of May, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races because of the conflict in the Middle East.
Antonelli, the youngest leader in F1 championship history, will spend it knowing he is now properly in the title race, having backed up his maiden victory in Shanghai two weekends ago. “Going into this race I would have said George was the one to beat,” said former champion Jenson Button on Sky Sports F1 . “But now he has got a true challenger.
” More to follow... Final positions after race (53 laps) Kimi Antonelli (Ita) Mercedes GP 1h 28m 03. 403s Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren at 13.
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