06:42
Piastri has 1.7s over Russell now, with Antonelli a further 3.4s back.
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
06:42
Lap 18/53
Looks like this is a reaction to Norris' stop. Got service from Ferrari and he rejoins well ahead of the McLaren in seventh.
06:41
Leclerc pits from third now.
06:41
Norris rejoins in ninth on the hard rubber. Bearman has also been in and is 19th.
06:40
Lap 17/53
Norris pits from fifth place. Piastri continues to lead.
06:39
Hamilton is starting to come back towards Norris, so he's finally coming into play in sixth. He's under a second behind the McLaren now.
06:39
Lap 16/53
Antonelli had a moment going through the last corner, which has allowed Leclerc back into third into Turn 1.
06:38
Antonelli now through on Leclerc into the chicane for third.
06:38
Arvid Lindblad has been given a black and white flag for moving under braking. He's 10th currently ahead of Hadjar.
06:37
Piastri very bullish on the radio:
"If we can keep track position, I think we can hold onto this."
06:37
Lap 15/53
Piastri is now 1.1s clear of Russell across the line to start lap 15.
Antonelli still can't find a way through on Leclerc. He had a look into the chicane, but wasn't close enough, and same again at Turn 1.
06:36
Verstappen is not enjoying his Red Bull right now. He's complaining about handling over the radio:
"It feels like I'm driving without power steering..."
06:35
Lap 14/53
Antonelli had a look into Turn 1 on Leclerc, but the Ferrari holds firm in the battle for third.
Piastri still leads Russell.
06:35
Only Bottas has the hards on right now and he's four seconds off the next car in last. So, it's not a great tyre right now.
06:34
Lap 13/53
Piastri keeps the lead across the line to start lap 13.
06:33
Verstappen's progress has halted a bit. He's 4.5s behind Gasly in seventh.
06:32
Lap 12/53
Piastri leads Russell across the line by 0.5s, while Leclerc has a fight on his hands to keep Antonelli behind.
06:32
Antonelli gets by Norris into the chicane for fourth.
06:31
Lap 11/53
Onto lap 11 and it's still Piastri from Russell, with Leclerc in third ahead of Norris and Antonelli.
Hamilton hasn't really been able to make any inroads on this podium battle in sixth, but has a comfortable 4s gap over the Alpine of Gasly behind.
Everyone still running at this stage.
06:30
Pretty static behind this battle for now, but we are due pit stops soon.
06:29
Lap 10/53
The battle for third is close. Leclerc still leading this one, while Norris holds Antonelli at bay.
Looks like the straight mode is helping keep Norris ahead of Antonelli despite the Mercedes looking better.
06:27
Lap 9/53
And Russell sprung a surprise move to take the lead into the chicane!
But Piastri retakes the lead into Turn 1.
06:27
Piastri is being asked by his McLaren team to look after his front left tyre.
06:26
Lap 8/53
Piastri has Russell much closer behind him now to start lap eight. Feels like a move is just a matter of time now.
Leclerc still holding third from Norris and Antonelli. Hamilton still sixth from Gasly, Verstappen, Ocon and Lindblad.
06:24
Lap 7/53
No change at the front at the start of lap seven.
Leclerc has a lot of pressure from Norris and Antonelli, though, for third.