Mercedes Continues F1 Dominance as Kimi Antonelli Resurgence Secures Second GP Win
The F1 Sophomore had to battle back from his own bad start to become the first repeat GP winner through three weekends of F1 racing.
Kimi Antonelli Wins at Suzuka NurPhoto - Getty Images An early charge by the first-time 2026 starter Oscar Piastri wasn't enough to stop Kimi Antonelli from his second GP win Sunday evening in Suzuka. Antonelli faded to sixth at the start of the race and battled back to the race win. At the end of the 53 laps Antonelli beat the field by more 13.
722 seconds, and with two Grand Prix victories to his teammate George Russell's one moves into the driver championship lead. "It feels pretty good! " Antonelli said on the start of the season.
"It's too early to think about the championship but we are in a good way. I had a terrible start, and we got lucky with the safety car, but I have three weeks now to practice some starts. It has been a weak point.
" Piastri took the lead from third at the start with Lewis Hamilton following suit, but it wasn't sustainable with Charles Leclerc taking third instead. George Russell, who was following qualifying and racing speed, should've been in the lead, but found himself stuffed further back in the top five. After Antonelli's rebound, Piastri settled in for second place after his two DNS's to start the year.