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F1 Japanese GP: Antonelli wins again, becomes youngest championship leader

Sandy Verma | March 30, 2026 1:24 AM CST

Teen sensation Kimi Antonelli continued his stunning start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with a second straight victory, this time at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver delivered a calm and commanding performance at Suzuka, finishing 13.7 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri.The race began with plenty of action up front. Antonelli started from pole position alongside teammate George Russell, but neither got a clean launch. Piastri made the most of it, jumping into the lead at the first corner and controlling the early stages. Antonelli, meanwhile, dropped down the order and found himself as low as sixth after the opening lap.However, the young Italian quickly regained composure and began working his way back through the field. A key moment came on lap 22 when Oliver Bearman lost control of his Haas and crashed into the barriers, bringing out the safety car. Bearman was able to get out of the car and was later confirmed to be fine. The interruption proved crucial, helping Antonelli take control of the race after the restart.

Once in front, there was no looking back. Antonelli steadily pulled away, underlining Mercedes’ strong grip on the new 2026 regulations. Behind him, Piastri settled for second, while Charles Leclerc secured third for Ferrari. Russell crossed the line in fourth, followed by Lando Norris in fifth. Lewis Hamilton came home sixth, continuing Ferrari’s improved run after his podium finish in China.Further down the order, Pierre Gasly finished seventh for Alpine, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen could only manage eighth after struggling throughout the weekend. Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.Antonelli’s latest win comes just two weeks after his maiden victory in China, where he also became the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history, behind Verstappen. With 72 points from three races, he now leads the drivers’ standings and becomes the youngest driver ever to do so.Mercedes has now won all three races this season, with Russell having taken victory in the opening round in Australia. The early signs suggest the team has found the right formula under the new rules, while others are still catching up. Formula 1 will now take a short break, with the next race scheduled in Miami on May 3, after events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were called off.