Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season by claiming pole position in a dramatic qualifying session at Suzuka.

The Mercedes driver delivered when it mattered most in Q3, setting the pace early and beating team-mate George Russell by around three tenths of a second. Antonelli did not improve on his final run, but his earlier lap was enough to secure P1. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc followed behind the Mercedes duo.

Ferrari showed strong pace in the first sector during Q3, with Leclerc particularly quick, but the team struggled to carry that performance through the rest of the lap. This may have been linked to energy management, as both drivers ultimately fell short of challenging for pole.

The biggest shock of the session came in Q2, where Max Verstappen was eliminated after finishing only 11th. The Red Bull driver struggled throughout and was knocked out by rookie Arvid Lindblad from sister team Racing Bulls, while Isack Hadjar managed to progress to Q3.

Antonelli had already set the benchmark in Q2, topping the session with a 1:29.048 ahead of Leclerc and Piastri. The field remained tight, but Mercedes held a clear advantage heading into the final part of qualifying.

In Q1, Leclerc led the way ahead of Russell and Antonelli. Several drivers from the back of the grid failed to progress, including both Aston Martin and Cadillac cars, although given their recent form, these eliminations were not unexpected. In Q1, Oliver Bearman and Alexander Albon both also failed to progress, while Franco Colapinto secured his place in Q2 at the last moment.

2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix – Qualifying (Q3)

1. Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
2. George Russell Mercedes +0.298
3. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.354
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.627
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.631
6. Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.789
7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.913
8. Isack Hadjar Red Bull +1.200
9. Gabriel Bortoleto Audi +1.496
10. Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +1.541

Eliminated in Q2

11. Max Verstappen Red Bull +1.214
12. Esteban Ocon Haas +1.261
13. Nico Hülkenberg Audi +1.339
14. Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +1.447
15. Franco Colapinto Alpine +1.579
16. Carlos Sainz Williams +1.985

Eliminated in Q1

17. Alexander Albon Williams +1.173
18. Oliver Bearman Haas +1.175
19. Sergio Pérez Cadillac +2.291
20. Valtteri Bottas Cadillac +2.415
21. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +2.731
22. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +3.005