Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli wins 2026 Japanese GP for second straight victory, takes F1 drivers' lead
Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI
Kimi Antonelli secured a dominant victory in the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, his second consecutive win after China, making him the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 drivers' championship. A safety car triggered by Oliver Bearman's heavy crash propelled the Mercedes driver from mid-pack to the front, finishing 13.722 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri. George Russell's race was hampered by a software glitch, dropping him to fourth and costing him the standings lead, with Antonelli now ahead by nine points after three races.
Kimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes 1-2 ahead of teammate George Russell. The pair dominated FP3 at Suzuka by a significant margin over Ferrari and McLaren rivals. Qualifying follows at 3pm local time.
Imeripotiwa na AI
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka with a lap of 1:28.778, outpacing teammate George Russell by 0.298 seconds for a front-row lockout. The 19-year-old's second consecutive pole followed China, while Max Verstappen was eliminated in Q2 in 11th after car issues.
In a dramatic finish to his first Formula 1 victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli survived a lap 53 lock-up at Turn 14, holding off teammate George Russell by 5.515 seconds for a 1-2. The 19-year-old celebrated with a thumbs-up gesture, recreating Jim Clark's iconic 1967 US GP salute as promised.
Imeripotiwa na AI
Kimi Antonelli spoke with Isack Hadjar to resolve their clash from the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix sprint race. The incident occurred on the opening lap in Shanghai, leading to a penalty for Antonelli. The matter was settled amicably before the main race.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has shared insights into his preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season, emphasizing lessons from his mixed 2025 rookie year. Working with a psychologist during the winter break helped him set goals and refine his approach. He aims to compete strongly against teammate George Russell while focusing on personal growth.
Imeripotiwa na AI
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has described the tactical demands of Formula 1's 2026 regulations as akin to 'speed chess,' emphasizing energy management in battles. Speaking at the team's launch, the 19-year-old highlighted the need for creativity and foresight with new tools like Boost Mode replacing DRS. He believes younger drivers may adapt quickly to the reset.