2026 Japanese GP: Second consecutive pole for Antonelli

Suzuka presents a challenging overtaking environment, making qualifying a crucial phase where the competition is consistently fierce. In seven of the last ten Grands Prix, the pole-sitter has gone on to win — and in the past four years, that driver was Max Verstappen.

The regulation changes shifted the balance of power, leaving the Dutch driver no longer among the main contenders for pole. On Friday, Oscar Piastri showcased his speed, while Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time on Saturday morning. Whether overtaking has become easier under the new rules will be seen on Sunday, but on Saturday the focus remained firmly on the fight for starting positions.

At the initiative of the teams, the FIA introduced changes to the qualifying rules for Suzuka. Due to the lack of heavy braking zones, energy harvesting is limited, so the per-lap energy limit was reduced from 9 to 8 MJ. This shortened the “super clipping” phase to around four seconds. While top speeds on the straights slightly decreased, drivers were able to stay at full throttle for most of the lap.

For this round, Pirelli brought the hardest compounds of the season for the first time — C1, C2, and C3 (serving as Hard, Medium, and Soft respectively).

First session

Everyone went out on Soft tyres immediately. Drivers completed runs that included two flying laps followed by a cool-down lap. On his first attempt, Kimi Antonelli led with a 1:30.035, while his teammate George Russell was unhappy with the car’s behaviour and lost significant time.

On the second runs, Russell improved his pace, but Charles Leclerc went fastest with a 1:29.915. Along with the Aston Martin and Cadillac drivers, Berman and Albon were eliminated.

Second session

All drivers again used Soft tyres. The Mercedes drivers were among the first on track, and Antonelli immediately set a benchmark of 1:29.774 before Piastri went faster with a 1:29.451.

On the second runs, Leclerc moved into the lead with a 1:29.303, but Antonelli responded on his final flying lap, beating him by 0.2 seconds with a 1:29.048.

Sainz, Colapinto, Lawson, Hülkenberg, and Ocon were eliminated, along with a surprise exit for Verstappen.

Final session

Antonelli completed his first flying lap with the best time of the weekend — 1:28.778 — and no one was able to beat it. Arvid Lindblad had his lap deleted after running off the track.

On the second attempts, Antonelli’s time remained unbeaten, while only Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, and Charles Leclerc improved their results.

Kimi Antonelli secured both his first and second consecutive pole position. George Russell finished second, meaning Mercedes will lock out the front row for the third time this season and the 85th time in their history.

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc will start from the second row, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton lining up on the third row.