Antonelli becomes youngest F1 leader with Japanese Grand Prix win
29th March 2026Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli has become Formula 1’s youngest-ever championship leader after the Italian claimed victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Feature image credit: Mercedes F1
Antonelli has taken victory around the historic circuit of Japan’s Suzuka Circuit to take back-to-back victories, following his maiden win at the Chinese Grand Prix last time out.
Following this, and George Russell’s failure to secure a podium position at the chequered flag, it means Antonelli has broken another F1 record for the second consecutive race weekend.
Mercedes’ Italian driver now stands as the championship’s youngest-ever championship leader at 19 years old. It follows on from his record-breaking pole position in China, where he became the youngest pole sitter.
However, the Italian did not make the race easy for himself. Both he and Russell started on the front row, with Antonelli on pole, but once the lights went out, both Mercedes fell back down the order to as low as sixth for Antonelli.
Whilst Russell was able to battle for victory, the race turned in Antonelli’s favour after Haas’ Oliver Bearman crashed into the barrier at Spoon Curve. Onboards showed that Bearman had to take evasive action due to a significant closing speed on Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, sending the Haas driver onto the grass and then into the barrier.
It prompted a safety car intervention to extract the wounded VF-26 and clear away the debris on track. As Russell pitted the lap prior, allowing Antonelli to lead the race, the Italian benefited from the cheap stop and took the race lead.
From there, the Mercedes driver cleared away in clean air, extending his championship lead to a maximum of 13 seconds by the chequered flag.
He was accompanied by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured his first podium finish of the season after completing his first grand prix of the year. The Australian was another driver who lost out on the chance of victory thanks to the safety car, as he was leading the race prior to the pit stops.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc managed to round out the podium after a tough fight against Russell, who had to settle for fourth.
Now, a five-week break separates the Japanese Grand Prix from the next grand prix after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict. It means the next race will be the Miami Grand Prix, on May 1 – 3.
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Kimi Antonelli heads Mercedes lock out at Japanese GP
- Kimi Antonelli heads George Russell in final practice of Japanese GP
- Alexander Albon avoids punishment for causing collision at Japan GP
- George Russell pips Kimi Antonelli in Japanese GP FP1
- Japan Grand Prix Preview: Mercedes look to extend dominance in Suzuka
- Mercedes reveals new ‘livery’ for Japanese GP
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