Formula 1 continues its 2026 season at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, a track known for its high-speed corners and demanding layout. As the third round of the year, the Japanese Grand Prix could play an important role in shaping the early championship battle.

Mercedes arrive in strong form after dominating the opening races, with Kimi Antonelli once again starting from pole position ahead of team-mate George Russell. The Silver Arrows will be aiming to convert that advantage into another victory, but the chasing pack remains close, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all looking to fight at the front.

With strategy, tyre management, and precision set to be key factors, Suzuka rarely disappoints. Stay with us as we follow the race and bring you all the important moments from lights out to the chequered flag.

LAP 43 – Russell overtakes Hamilton for P4.

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LAP 42 – Leclerc overtakes Hamilton for P3. Antonelli leads by 10 seconds.

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LAP 38 – Leclerc overtakes Russell for P4.

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LAP 36 – Breaking news: Bearman has been declared fit and unhurt after a scary crash. Meanwhile, Antonelli is pulling away from Piastri.

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LAP 33 – Antonelli still leads, Piastri second (+3.8), Hamilton third. 

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LAP 28 – Restart: Hamilton overtakes Russell for P3. Antonelli keeps the lead.

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LAP 27 – Safety Car ending.

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LAP 24 – TOP 10: Antonelli, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Gasly, Verstappen, Hülkenberg, Lawson.

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LAP 23 – Antonelli pits from P1 and keeps the lead. Hamilton, Gasly and Verstappen also pitted. 

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LAP 22 – Russell pits, Bearman crashes in the Spoon corner! Safety Car deployed!

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LAP 21 – Piastri overtakes Verstappen (who is yet to pit) for P5.

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LAP 19 – Piastri pits from the lead. Russell moves into the lead, with Antonelli up to second.

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LAP 18 – Leclerc pits from P3.

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LAP 17 – Norris pits from P5.

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LAP 16 – Antonelli takes P3 at the end of lap 15, but Piastri retakes the position on the main straight.

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LAP 11 – Antonelli overtakes Norris for P4. Piastri still leads ahead of Russell (+0,7) and Leclerc.

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LAP 9 – Russell takes P1 at the end of lap 8, but Piastri retakes the lead on the main straight.

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LAP 8 – Piastri still leads, but Russell is close and preparing an attack for P1.

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LAP 5 – Verstappen overtakes Lindblad for P8.

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LAP 4 – Russell overtakes Leclerc for P2.

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LAP 3 – Russell overtakes Norris for P3.

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LAP 1 – Great start by Piastri – from P3 to P1! Leclerc is up to P2, Norris P3. Mercedes didn’t have strong starts – Russell only P4, Antonelli P6, but the Italian quickly moves into P5 after overtaking Hamilton.

Standings after Lap 1:

Piastri
Leclerc
Norris
Russell
Hamilton
Antonelli
Gasly
Hadjar
Stroll
Verstappen
Ocon
Lawson
Bortoleto
Colapinto
Sainz
Bearman
Albon
Pérez
Hülkenberg
Alonso
Bottas
Stroll

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7:10 – The cars have set off on the formation lap. Everyone is on medium tyres except Bottas, who is on the hard compound. No one is missing from the grid this time (for the first time this season).

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6:50 – Due to an incident in the support Porsche Cup race, barrier repairs are currently taking place. The start of the race has therefore been delayed and will now begin at 07:10 CET.

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6:05 – Take a look at today’s starting grid:

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Esteban Ocon (Haas)
Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Sergio Pérez (Cadillac)
Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

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6:00 – Welcome to our live coverage! We’re less than one hour away from the start of the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, as the anticipation continues to build ahead of lights out.