05:32
Race strategy
Very likely to be a one-stop race today, with most starting on the medium and then switching to the hard.
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
05:30
Pitlane is open
Pitlane is open for the sighting lap.
05:26
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is looking for back-to-back wins this weekend, after his maiden success in China last time out.
05:22
FIA update
An update from the FIA read:
"Start of formation lap will be delayed due to barrier repairs ongoing at Turn 12 after an incident in a support catergory. We will provide further updates on a new start time for formation lap. Pit lane open timing for reconnaissance laps will also be delayed.
"Formation lap will start at 14:10. This means that Pit Lane opens at 13:30 for 10 minutes for reconnaissance laps."
05:20
Picture: Huge crash causes Japan F1 delay
This is the reason for the delay. A car went through the fencing at Turn 12. Fortunately, the driver was ok.
05:18
Delayed start
Race direction has announced a 10-minute delay to the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix due to barrier damage from a support race crash.
05:15
It's not been the ideal build-up to Honda's first home race with Aston Martin. Both drivers will go from the back of the grid.
Fernando Alonso retired last time out in China due to extreme vibrations, while Lance Stroll had a technical issue.
05:13
Pitlane is a few moments away from opening for the sighting lap.
We're yet to see everyone actually take the start from their original grid positions so far this season.
05:10
Williams has been having a tough Japan weekend, but at least the team is in good spirits ahead of the race.
05:08
2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix starting grid
Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts on pole for the second time this season. Here is the full starting grid for the Japanese Grand Prix.
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | |
| 2 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari HP | |
| 5 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Scuderia Ferrari HP | |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team | |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Oracle Red Bull Racing | |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Audi Revolut F1 Team | |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Racing Bulls | |
| 11 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing | |
| 12 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | TGR Haas F1 Team | |
| 13 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Audi Revolut F1 Team | |
| 14 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Racing Bulls | |
| 15 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | BWT Alpine F1 Team | |
| 16 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | |
| 17 | Alex Albon | GBR | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | TGR Haas F1 Team | |
| 19 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Cadillac F1 Team | |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | FIN | Cadillac F1 Team | |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | |
| 22 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
05:05
2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix build-up
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix!
Lights out is just under an hour away.