Suzuka, Japan : In a dazzling display of pace and calm under pressure, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli clinched pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, leading teammate George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the Suzuka grid.
Running his “banker lap” early in the shootout, Antonelli set the fastest time of 1:28.778, edging Russell by 0.298 seconds to deliver back-to-back poles for the rising Mercedes star.
“Just stick to the plan, execute your lap — that was the key,” team boss Toto Wolff said of Antonelli’s composed performance, praising his disciplined approach. �
Top Qualifying Highlights
P1 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 1:28.778 – Second consecutive pole.
P2 – George Russell (Mercedes): Held strong but struggled to match Antonelli’s rear grip late in Q3.
P3 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren): Showed McLaren’s resurgence with a solid top-three start.
Notable: Four-time champion Max Verstappen suffered a shock exit in Q2 and will start outside the top 10.
Mercedes now lock out the front row, extending their strong qualifying form this season. The Italian’s milestone pole also continues his rapid ascent through the sport, reinforcing his status as a leading title contender in 2026.
With the racing action set to unfold at the iconic Suzuka circuit, all eyes will be on Antonelli as he aims to convert this pole into victory and potentially take the lead in the championship.
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