Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese GP in Suzuka, leading a Mercedes one-two in qualifying. The Italian was the fastest, followed by George Russell in second, while Oscar Piastri put McLaren in third position on the grid.
Read more F1: Russell admits difficult start in qualifying at Suzuka
Gabriel Bortoleto secured ninth place with Audi by advancing to Q3 and consolidating a good performance at the end of the session. The Brazilian was among the fastest in Q2 and confirmed the team in the top 10. Qualifying also saw the surprise elimination of Max Verstappen in Q2.
Read more F1: Check out the images from the second day of activities of the 2026 Japanese GP
Check out the full results of the 2026 Japanese GP Qualifying:
1) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’28.778
2) George Russell (Mercedes), 1’29.076 (+0.298)
3) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.132 (+0.354)
4) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’29.405 (+0.627)
5) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.409 (+0.631)
6) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’29.567 (+0.789)
7) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’29.691 (+0.913)
8) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’29.978 (+1.200)
9) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 1’30.274 (+1.496)
10) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.319 (+1.541)
11) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.262 (+1.484)
12) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’30.309 (+1.531)
13) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 1’30.387 (+1.609)
14) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.495 (+1.717)
15) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’30.627 (+1.849)
16) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), 1’31.033 (+2.255)
17) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’31.088 (+2.310)
18) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’31.090 (+2.312)
19) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.206 (+3.428)
20) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.330 (+3.552)
21) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.646 (+3.868)
22) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.920 (+4.142)
Read more F1: Wolff reveals decisive order for Antonelli’s pole
