Italian leads German team’s 1-2, while Bortoleto puts Audi in the top 10 and Verstappen stays out of Q3
Read more F1 today? Discover how to watch the 2026 Japanese GP qualifying
Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying confirmed Mercedes’ dominance at Suzuka. Kimi Antonelli secured pole position with authority and will start at the front this Sunday, leading a 1-2 for the German team alongside George Russell.
The session was marked by balance between the teams at the start, but with clear superiority for Mercedes throughout the three phases.
In Q1, the battle already indicated a very tight midfield. Charles Leclerc even led, while Antonelli and Russell responded in sequence. Audi drew attention by placing Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg among the top ten.
The main surprise came with the elimination of Oliver Bearman, who had scored points in every race so far. Also out were Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez and Alexander Albon.
In Q2, the session gained intensity and brought the most impactful moment of qualifying. While Antonelli returned to the lead with a strong lap, Bortoleto even appeared among the top three in his first attempt with new tires.
In the final phase, with everyone improving, the Brazilian managed to stay competitive and secured a spot in Q3 with eighth position.
On the other hand, the big disappointment was Max Verstappen. Lacking pace throughout the session, the Red Bull driver was eliminated in tenth, after being surpassed by Arvid Lindblad on the final attempt.
Also falling by the wayside were Carlos Sainz, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Ocon.
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In Q3, Mercedes confirmed its superiority. Antonelli already opened the first attempt putting about three-tenths over Russell, building an advantage that proved decisive.
On the final lap, with everyone on new soft tires, few drivers managed to improve. Neither of the two Mercedes improved, but the time was already enough to guarantee pole for the Italian.
Behind, Charles Leclerc managed to improve at the end and surpassed Lando Norris to secure fourth position. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton did not improve and stayed further back on the grid.
In the midfield, Pierre Gasly managed a good final lap and climbed to seventh, surpassing Isack Hadjar and also Bortoleto.
Even so, the Brazilian managed to improve his mark on the final attempt and secured ninth position, consolidating an excellent result for Audi at Suzuka.
With the checkered flag, Antonelli confirmed pole position for the Japanese GP, consolidating Mercedes’ dominance at Suzuka. Russell starts alongside him, while McLaren and Ferrari appear just behind, in a scenario that points to an intense battle for podium positions.
The start takes place in the early hours of this Sunday, at 2 am (Brasília time), and promises an interesting strategic scenario at Suzuka. Follow it live and in real-time on F1Mania.net.
Check out the starting grid for the 2026 Japanese GP:
1) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’28.778
2) George Russell (Mercedes), 1’29.076
3) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.132
4) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’29.405
5) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.409
6) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’29.567
7) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’29.691
8) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’29.978
9) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 1’30.274
10) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.319
11) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.262
12) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’30.309
13) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 1’30.387
14) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.495
15) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’30.627
16) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), 1’31.033
17) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’31.088
18) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’31.090
19) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.206
20) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.330
21) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.646
22) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.920
