Japanese GP 2026: Antonelli wins as Bearman crash triggers safety car in Suzuka thriller

Suzuka: Kimi Antonelli secured a dominant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, clinching his second consecutive Formula 1 win in a race shaped by early position changes, strategic pit stops, and a crucial safety car period.

The race began with Oscar Piastri making a strong launch off the line, briefly taking the lead as the field approached Turn 1. Behind him, Antonelli and George Russell were shuffled back, while Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton also made progress in the opening stages. Max Verstappen gained positions early despite starting outside the top ten.

As the race unfolded, battles developed across the grid, with Russell attempting to recover from his start and Antonelli steadily working his way back into contention. Pit stop strategies began to play a key role as teams opted for one-stop approaches, switching tyres to manage pace and track position.

A major turning point came when Ollie Bearman suffered a heavy crash at the Spoon Curve while chasing Franco Colapinto. The incident brought out the safety car, allowing drivers to pit with reduced time loss and reshaping the competitive order.

Following the restart, Antonelli capitalised on the situation and maintained consistent pace at the front. He gradually built a comfortable lead, pulling clear of his rivals as the race progressed.

At the chequered flag, Antonelli finished first, ahead of Piastri in second and Leclerc in third. Russell secured fourth place, with Norris and Hamilton completing the next positions. Verstappen finished in eighth after a challenging race, while Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.