Kimi Antonelli pounced on qualifying struggles for Mercedes team-mate George Russell to claim his second successive pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Carrying the momentum of his maiden grand prix pole and race win from China a fortnight ago, Antonelli had outpaced Russell in the final two practice sessions at Suzuka and carried that impressive form into qualifying.
Russell, meanwhile, reported repeated issues with his car’s rear grip through the final sector and trailed Antonelli by unusually large margins in Q1 and Q2. Although he closed some of the gap in Q3, Antonelli’s superb time of 1:28.778 on his first attempt still proved a comfortable 0.298s quicker than his title-leading team-mate’s best.
“What a lap! Three tenths on his team-mate George Russell – very, very impressive,” said Sky Sports F1’s Jenson Button.
“I feel we have seen a different Kimi this weekend. He’s always been extremely quick but the consistency is there.”
The Mercedes drivers had been unexpectedly challenged by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the first two stages of qualifying before the Silver Arrows pulled clear when it mattered in the final shootout.
Piastri, though, still continued a positive weekend so far for him to beat Leclerc to third, with the latter fourth after an error at Spoon curve in the middle sector of his final attempt.
World champion Lando Norris, whose weekend has been compromised by unreliability, was fifth in the second McLaren with Lewis Hamilton sixth in the second Ferrari.
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Max Verstappen’s nightmare start to the season continues as he is knocked out of Q2 at the Japanese Grand Prix
There was further 2026 disappointment for Max Verstappen, who labelled his Red Bull “undrivable” after dropping out in Q2 amid sustained handling woes in the car.
On pole at Suzuka over the previous four years, Verstappen will start this year’s race from 11th – three places lower than team-mate Isack Hadjar, who took eighth.
Pierre Gasly took an impressive seventh for the Mercedes-powered Alpine, with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto ninth and British rookie Arvid Lindblad 10th after the Racing Bulls driver knocked out Red Bull’s Verstappen with his final lap of Q2.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Japanese GP schedule
Sunday March 29
4.30am: Japanese GP build-up – Grand Prix Sunday*
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Japanese GP reaction – Chequered Flag*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is at the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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