Piastri takes the lead at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix
Piastri takes the lead at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix

F1 Japanese GP as it happened: Antonelli wins after safety car for huge Bearman crash

Live coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix

KEY MOMENTS

  • Antonelli wins the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
  • Bearman crash brings out safety car
  • Race was delayed by 10 minutes due to support series crash
  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts from pole
  • Max Verstappen 11th after Q2 exit

The third round of the 2026 Formula 1 season continues on Sunday 29 March with the 53-lap Japanese Grand Prix from Suzuka. 

The iconic Suzuka circuit acts as the venue for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix, as Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts on pole for the second time this season. 

The 19-year-old Italian broke his duck last time out in China when he claimed a maiden pole, which he converted into a first grand prix victory. 

He will be looking to do the same after a qualifying in which Mercedes stretched its legs, with Antonelli's team-mate George Russell slotting into second after a tricky session. 

McLaren's Oscar Piastri led the best-of-the-rest charge behind the works Mercedes team, as the Woking outfit's car appears to be working much better at Suzuka than in previous rounds. 

Piastri was able to fend off the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who will start fourth, while Lando Norris managed fifth in the sister McLaren despite the reigning world champion struggling with technical issues all weekend. 

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari is "miles and miles away" from Mercedes this weekend, as he goes from sixth on the grid with much tougher task in matching his podium from China. 

Pierre Gasly put the Alpine seventh on the grid to give the Enstone team top honours in a tight midfield race, while Isack Hadjar was eighth for Red Bull after team-mate Max Verstappen fell out of Q2 in 11th spot. 

Gabriel Bortoleto was ninth for Audi, while Arvid Lindblad sneaked his Racing Bull into the top 10 with a lap in Q2 that dumped Verstappen out of the mix. 

Aston Martin brings up the rear of the field for engine supplier Honda's home grand prix, as the Japanese marque will be hoping its vibration countermeasures allows both cars to get to the chequered flag.

The 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix begins at 6am BST. 

29 Mar 2026
11:54
Max Verstappen to retire from F1?

Max Verstappen could sensationally quit F1 at the end of the season because he is “not enjoying the sport”, it has been reported.

More here 👇

VERSTAPPEN IN FRESH F1 RETIREMENT RUMOURS AMID RULES DISPLEASURE

Verstappen has repeatedly expressed his displeasure at F1's new rules
Verstappen has repeatedly expressed his displeasure at F1's new rules
11:40
Lewis Hamilton: F1 drivers “have no voting rights” as FIA “only listening to teams”

F1 drivers are calling for rule changes to the 2026 cars, but FIA only listening to teams so far.

Read more ⬇️

Lewis Hamilton: F1 drivers “have no voting rights” as FIA “only listening to teams”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2026 Japanese GP
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2026 Japanese GP
© XPB Images

 


 

10:50
Bearman reacts to scary 50G crash

Haas driver Ollie Bearman has given his first reaction to his scary crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. 

You can read what he had to say here ⬇️

BEARMAN GIVES FIRST REACTION TO SCARY SUZUKA CRASH 

Bearman avoided serious injury in the scary crash
Bearman avoided serious injury in the scary crash
10:40
F1 drivers “at the mercy of what’s behind” as they’re “not in control” of deployment

Lando Norris says F1 drivers are not in control of how the power unit behaves now

F1 drivers “at the mercy of what’s behind” as they’re “not in control” of deployment

Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP
Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP
© XPB Images


 

10:24
FIA statement on Bearman crash

"Following the accident involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix and the contribution of high closing speeds in the accident, the FIA would like to provide the following clarifications.

"Since their introduction, the 2026 regulations have been the subject of ongoing discussions between the FIA, Teams, Power Unit Manufacturers, Drivers and FOM. By design, these regulations include a number of adjustable parameters, particularly in relation to energy management, which allow for optimisation based on real-world data.

"It has been the consistent position of all stakeholders that a structured review would take place after the opening phase of the season, to allow for sufficient data to be gathered and analysed. A number of meetings are therefore scheduled in April to assess the operation of the new regulations and to determine whether any refinements are required.

"Any potential adjustments, particularly those related to energy management, require careful simulation and detailed analysis. The FIA will continue to work in close and constructive collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome for the sport and safety will always remain a core element of the FIA’s mission. At this stage, any speculation regarding the nature of potential changes would be premature. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”

09:51
Verstappen demands Red Bull fix for car problems

Max Verstappen has urged Red Bull to get on top of the balance issues currently afflicting its 2026 Formula 1 car, branding them “not sustainable”.

Read more 👇

VERSTAPPEN DEMANDS FIXES FOR "NOT SUSTAINABLE" RED BULL PROBLEMS

Verstappen endured another frustrating afternoon in his Red Bull
Verstappen endured another frustrating afternoon in his Red Bull
09:16
Mercedes blames “bug” on George Russell missing Japan F1 podium

Mercedes says George Russell lost a podium in Japan due to a technical issue

Mercedes blames “bug” on George Russell missing Japan F1 podium

George Russell, Mercedes, Japanese GP
George Russell, Mercedes, Japanese GP
© XPB Images

 


 

08:55
Colapinto explains 'really strange' Bearman crash

Franco Colapinto has explained his side of Ollie Bearman's terrifying Japanese Grand Prix crash.

COLAPINTO EXPLAINS "REALLY STRANGE" BEARMAN CRASH 

Colapinto avoided being hit by Bearman
Colapinto avoided being hit by Bearman
08:23

I think Antonelli enjoyed that one!

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08:20
2026 Formula 1 world championship standings after the Japanese Grand Prix

The updated drivers' and constructors' standings ⬇️

2026 Formula 1 world championship standings after the Japanese Grand Prix

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 2026 Japanese GP
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 2026 Japanese GP
© XPB Images

 


 

07:59
2026 F1 Japanese GP race results
                                    2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix - Results
PosDriverNat.TeamLaps
1Andrea Kimi AntonelliITAMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team53
2Oscar PiastriAUSMcLaren Mastercard F1 Team13.722s
3Charles LeclercMONScuderia Ferrari HP15.270s
4George RussellGBRMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team15.754s
5Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren Mastercard F1 Team23.479s
6Lewis HamiltonGBRScuderia Ferrari HP25.037s
7Pierre GaslyFRABWT Alpine F1 Team32.340s
8Max VerstappenNEDOracle Red Bull Racing32.677s
9Liam LawsonNZDRacing Bulls50.180s
10Esteban OconFRATGR Haas F1 Team51.216s
11Nico HulkenbergGERAudi Revolut F1 Team52.280s
12Isack HadjarFRAOracle Red Bull Racing56.154s
13Gabriel BortoletoBRAAudi Revolut F1 Team59.078s
14Arvid LindbladGBRRacing Bulls59.848s
15Carlos SainzESPAtlassian Williams F1 Team65.008s
16Franco ColapintoARGBWT Alpine F1 Team65.773s
17Sergio PerezMEXCadillac F1 Team92.453s
18Fernando AlonsoESPAston Martin Aramco F1 Team1 lap
19Valtteri BottasFINCadillac F1 Team1 lap
20Alex AlbonTHAAtlassian Williams F1 Team2 laps
DNFLance StrollCANAston Martin Aramco F1 Team23 laps
DNFOllie BearmanGBRTGR Haas F1 Team33 laps
07:53
Report: Antonelli scores historic F1 win

Kimi Antonelli took advantage of a fortunately-timed safety car to make further Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest driver to win two races at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Read our full race report here ⬇️

ANTONELLI SCORES HISTORIC JAPANESE GP WIN AFTER SAFETY CAR BOOST

Antonelli made it back-to-back wins in F1
Antonelli made it back-to-back wins in F1
07:43
Chequered flag

Andrea Kimi Antonelli wins the Japanese Grand Prix and becomes the youngest world championship leader in history!

Piastri is second for McLaren's first podium of the season. Leclerc holds onto third ahead of Russell and Norris. 

Hamilton is sixth from Gasly, Verstappen, Lawson and Ocon. 

07:41
Final lap

One lap to go. 

Antonelli is 14.4s clear of Piastri, who looks set in second. Leclerc holds Russell at bay at the start of this lap. 

07:40
Lap 52/53

Norris takes fifth from Hamilton again at the chicane, and he holds it into Turn 1 with two laps to go. 

07:38
Lap 51/53

Leclerc fights it back into Turn 1 around the outside. Hamilton has done the same to Norris, too in the battle for fifth.

07:38

Russell gets ahead of Leclerc into third at the chicane. 

07:36
Lap 50/53

Four laps remaining. 

07:35
Lap 49/53

Antonelli leads by 13s now over Piastri, who is 1.5s clear of Leclerc, who in turn has Russell behind him. 

07:33
Lap 48/53

Norris is through on Hamilton at the chicane for fifth, but the Ferrari is back ahead at Turn 1. 

 

07:33

Bearman is back in the Haas garage, which is very good to see. 

07:32
Lap 47/53

Another lap closer to the finish. Antonelli is well on his way to a second victory. Russell still behind Leclerc in the battle for third. 

07:31

Albom has pitted. 

07:31

The stewards have noted Hamilton for that run through the chicane.

07:30
Lap 46/53

Norris is calling for Hamilton to give him fifth place, after the Ferrari locked up and ran through the chicane at the end of lap 44. 

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