19-year-old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes wins Japanese GP for second straight victory

Kimi Antonelli, a 19-year-old Mercedes driver from Italy, won the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This victory marks Antonelli's second consecutive win. The article includes several photos from the race, showing Antonelli on the podium and driving his car, as well as images of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia. The photos show various moments from the race, including Piastri leading at the start. The race took place in Suzuka, central Japan.

Kimi Antonelli, a 19-year-old Mercedes driver, won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his second consecutive Formula One victory. The win at Suzuka propelled Antonelli to the top of the world championship standings, making him the youngest driver in F1 history to lead the championship. Antonelli overcame a poor start, capitalizing on a mid-race safety car to take the lead, finishing ahead of Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. George Russell, also of Mercedes, finished fourth. Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who has won the Japanese Grand Prix the past four years, finished eighth. Antonelli now leads the championship after three races.

Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 champion, struggled at the Japanese Grand Prix, qualifying 11th after calling his Red Bull car "undriveable." This continues a difficult start to his season, marked by complaints about the new regulations and handling issues. Verstappen, who has won the Suzuka race for the past four years, cited unpredictable oversteering and understeering as contributing factors. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli secured pole position, leading a Mercedes 1-2 with teammate George Russell. Mercedes has achieved one-two finishes in both races this season. The Japanese Grand Prix is taking place at Suzuka Circuit.