Kimi Antonelli takes pole at Suzuka ahead of Russell, while Verstappen slumps in Q2 and will start 11th.
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On the legendary Suzuka circuit, Kimi Antonelli has once again made an impression. The young Italian driver secured an impressive pole position in 1:28.778, confirming his status as the revelation of this early season.
Behind him, George Russell completes an all-Mercedes front row, nearly three-tenths back. A performance that perfectly illustrates the current dominance of the German team, whose W17 seems untouchable at the start of this 2026 campaign.
With two consecutive poles for Antonelli and solid performances from Russell, Mercedes is sending a clear message to the competition: the fight for the title will inevitably go through them.
McLaren and Ferrari lying in wait
Despite this show of force, the battle behind the Silver Arrows remains wide open. Oscar Piastri stood out by securing a solid third place, confirming McLaren’s growing strength over this Japanese weekend.
Just behind, Charles Leclerc may have some regrets. The Ferrari driver had set an exceptional first sector, hinting at a possible fight for pole. But a major slide at the exit of the Spoon curve ruined his hopes.
He will ultimately have to settle for fourth position on the grid, a place that is nonetheless promising for the race, as the pace seems close between Ferrari and McLaren.
Verstappen in great difficulty
The negative sensation of these qualifications clearly comes from Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion was eliminated in Q2, a major underperformance on a circuit where he has dominated in recent years.
Only 11th on the grid, the Dutchman is going through a complicated period with a car he finds difficult to exploit. The new aerodynamic package introduced by Red Bull seems particularly ineffective in Suzuka’s fast sequences, further worsening the problems already observed since the start of the season.
This situation could significantly complicate his chances of moving up in the race, especially on a track known for its difficult overtaking.
An intense struggle in prospect
Behind the Mercedes duo, the race promises to be closely contested for the minor places. Between a determined Leclerc and McLarens in full confidence, the battle for the podium promises to be lively.
Also worth noting are the strong performances of Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar, both in the top 10, confirming their solidity at the start of this season.
While Mercedes starts as the favorite, many unknowns remain before the start. Tire management, strategy, and possible twists could reshuffle the deck.
One thing is certain: at Suzuka, everything is in place for a spectacular race.
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