Antonelli Wins Japanese GP, Mercedes Dominates

0:00It's March 29th. This is F1 News Today, powered by AI. Your team, your update, Kimi Antonelli took his first win of the 2026 Formula One season at the Japanese Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes-Benz 1-2 ahead of Oscar. Piaestry in second from McLaren and Charles LeClair. Third for Ferrari. George Russell grabbed fourth, Lando Norris fifth, while Lewis Hamilton came home sixth in his Ferrari. The race went the full 53 laps with Antonelli setting the fastest lap on hard tires at 1 minute 32.432 seconds. Piaestry stayed close, but finished 13.7 seconds back, and the top five all pitted once. Pierre Gasly impressed in seventh for Alpine, Max Verstappen salvaged A for Red Bull after a tough start, and Liam lost in ninth for racing bulls. Two drivers failed to finish, Lance Strohl retired after 30 laps, and Oli Bareman crashed out on lap 20 with an injury.

1:00Fans are buzzing about Antonelli's rise. The young Mercedes star now pulling away in the championship after three races. His smooth drive under safety car pressure, sealed 25 points, extending his lead. Red Bull struggles hit Verstappen hard, dropping him to ninth overall, while McLaren's duo showed strong pace but couldn't challenge the silver, arrows. Mercedes dominates the constructor's standings with 135 points. Ferrari sits on 90, and McLaren trails at 46. Haas picks up 18 things to Esteban Ocon's 10th place, Audi and Williams grade minimal points so far. With Antonelli on 72 points ahead of Russell's 63, this early dominance sets up a fierce title fight. Keep eyes peeled for how the midfield shakes out next round.