Teen sensation Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season with a second consecutive victory, this time at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver produced a calm and commanding performance in Suzuka, finishing 13.7 seconds ahead of Oscar Pastry.The race started with a lot of forward momentum. Antonelli started from pole position with teammate George Russell, but neither could get a clean launch. Piastri made the most of it, jumping into the lead at the first corner and controlling the early stages. Antonelli, meanwhile, dropped down the order and found himself sixth after the opening lap.However, the young Italian soon regained composure and began working to get back on the field. A key moment came on lap 22 when Oliver Biermann lost control of his Haas and crashed into the barriers, bringing out the safety car. Beerman was able to get out of the vehicle and was later confirmed to be fine. The barrier proved crucial, helping Antonelli take control of the race after the restart.
Once it came out, there was no looking back. Underscoring Mercedes’ firm grip on the new 2026 regulations, Antonelli continued to push back. Behind him, Pastry finished second, while Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari. Russell crossed the line in fourth, followed by Lando Norris in fifth. Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, continuing Ferrari’s fine run after finishing on the podium in China.Further down the order, Pierre Gasly finished seventh for the Alpine, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen finished just eighth after struggling at the weekend. Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.Antonelli’s latest win comes just two weeks after his first victory in China, where he also became the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history, behind Verstappen. With 72 points from three races, he now leads the drivers’ standings and has become the youngest driver ever to do so.Mercedes have now won all three races this season, with Russell taking victory at the opening round in Australia. Early signs suggest the team has found the right formula under the new rules, while others are still catching up. Formula 1 will now take a short break, with the next race scheduled for May 3 in Miami, after events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled.
