Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli took victory in the third round of the 2026 Formula 1 season held in Japan. Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished second, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium in third.
The event opened with a dramatic start. Both Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell suffered a poor launch, allowing Piastri and Leclerc to overtake them early. However, Antonelli clawed his way back to the front and steadily extended his advantage. Russell, meanwhile, endured technical issues; after an intense duel with Leclerc, he settled for a finish outside the points.
In the midfield battles, Lando Norris (McLaren) and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) fought fiercely, with Norris ultimately emerging ahead. Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who started twelfth, was unable to make a decisive advance and finished eighth.
On the points leaderboard, it followed: Russell, then Norris, Hamilton, Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Verstappen. Liam Lawson (Racing Bull) gained two points for ninth place, Esteban Ocon (Haas) one point for tenth, and Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) finished eleventh. The next Grand Prix is scheduled in Miami, five weeks from now.