Italian dominates after decisive Safety Car, Ferrari shines in battles and Bortoleto faces difficult race with Audi
Read more F1 today? Check the schedule and where to watch the 2026 Japanese GP
The Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix delivered an intense, strategic race marked by multiple direct battles at Suzuka. In the end, victory for Kimi Antonelli, who turned pole position into triumph after a race that had everything: a chaotic start, a decisive Safety Car, and a final stint full of overtakes.
The start already indicated that the script would be different from the grid. Despite starting from pole, Antonelli dropped positions, while Oscar Piastri took the lead with an excellent start, followed by Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
Mercedes, which dominated qualifying, suffered at the start but reacted quickly. George Russell began to climb through the field and, in the early laps, started to pressure the leaders, while Antonelli began his recovery.
In the middle phase, the race stabilized into a direct duel between McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, with constant overtakes, especially at the final chicane and Turn 1, the main attacking points at Suzuka.
Strategy took center stage on lap 22, when a heavy crash by Oliver Bearman triggered the Safety Car. The incident completely shuffled the race, benefiting drivers who had not yet pitted.
Antonelli was one of the big beneficiaries of the timing, as were Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, while others lost time because they had already made their pit stops.
On the restart, the Italian took control of the race and began to consistently pull away. With strong pace and efficient tire and energy management, Antonelli built a comfortable margin, opening up about five seconds over Piastri.
Behind, the race turned into a true strategic and technical duel. Leclerc, Russell, and Hamilton starred in an intense sequence of overtakes, especially in the final laps.
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On lap 43, Russell managed to pass Hamilton on the outside at Turn 1, entering the fight for the podium for good. Shortly after, Leclerc regained positions and consolidated his strength in the final stint.
In the decisive laps, the battle became even more aggressive. Norris and Hamilton swapped positions several times, with overtakes at the chicane and immediate counter-attacks on the main straight. Russell also made several attempts on Leclerc but found it difficult to complete the maneuvers.
Further back, Verstappen managed to recover throughout the race, overtaking Pierre Gasly and entering the points zone, despite reported car problems during the race.
The race was complicated for Gabriel Bortoleto. After starting in the points zone, the Brazilian lost positions at the start and faced difficulties throughout the stints.
Even momentarily benefiting from the Safety Car, when he reached tenth place, Bortoleto could not sustain the pace and ended up involved in several battles in the midfield.
The Brazilian engaged in direct duels with Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, and Isack Hadjar, constantly swapping positions, but ended up losing performance in the final stint, reflecting an still inconsistent Audi car in race pace.
At the front, without being threatened in the final laps, Antonelli controlled the lead and crossed the finish line to secure his first victory in Japan, and another important victory in the season, and is now the youngest driver to lead the F1 world championship.
Check out the result of the 2026 Japanese GP:
1) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4) George Russell (Mercedes)
5) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
6) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
7) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes)
8) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
9) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
10) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
11) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
12) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
13) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
14) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
15) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
16) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes)
17) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari)
18) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda)
19) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari)
20) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
OUT) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda)
OUT) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
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