28 March 2026 Drive Digest SA 0 Comments 1:12 pm

2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying: Antonelli Claims Suzuka Pole as Verstappen Struggles

The 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying session delivered major surprises at Suzuka, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli securing pole position while Max Verstappen endured another difficult outing.

With the Formula 1 championship battle heating up early in the season, qualifying in Japan has set the stage for what promises to be an unpredictable race on Sunday.

Antonelli shines again with dominant Suzuka pole

Kimi Antonelli continued his incredible form by taking pole position for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying, marking his second consecutive pole after his breakthrough win in China.

The young Mercedes driver set a stunning 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying lap of 1:28.778 in Q3, finishing nearly three tenths ahead of teammate George Russell. His consistency throughout practice translated perfectly into qualifying, where he looked confident and in control.

Antonelli’s rapid rise is becoming one of the standout stories of the 2026 season, as he begins to challenge the established order at the front of Formula 1.

Mercedes lock out the front row

Despite Antonelli’s dominance in the 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying session, George Russell still secured second place, giving Mercedes a strong front-row lockout for Sunday’s race.

However, Russell struggled with rear grip issues throughout the session, particularly in Q1 and Q2. While he improved in Q3, he was unable to match Antonelli’s pace when it mattered most.

This result reinforces Mercedes as the team to beat heading into race day at Suzuka.

McLaren and Ferrari remain in contention

Behind the Mercedes duo, McLaren and Ferrari continue to show strong pace during the 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying.

Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren, maintaining his consistent performance this weekend, while Charles Leclerc secured fourth despite making an error on his final lap.

Lando Norris completed the top five, followed by Lewis Hamilton in sixth, ensuring both teams remain firmly in the fight for podium positions in the race.

Verstappen knocked out in Q2

One of the biggest shocks of the 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying session was the early exit of Max Verstappen.

The reigning champion was eliminated in Q2 and will start the race from 11th on the grid after struggling with the balance and handling of his Red Bull car.

Verstappen described the car as difficult to drive, continuing what has been a challenging start to the 2026 season for both driver and team.

Meanwhile, teammate Isack Hadjar impressed by reaching Q3 and qualifying eighth, highlighting the inconsistency within the Red Bull setup.

Strong midfield performances shake up the grid

Further down the order, several drivers delivered standout performances.

Pierre Gasly secured seventh place for Alpine, while Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad rounded out the top ten.

These results demonstrate how competitive the midfield has become, with multiple teams capable of breaking into the top positions.

Top 10 results from 2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying

Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
George Russell – Mercedes
Oscar Piastri – McLaren
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Lando Norris – McLaren
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
Pierre Gasly – Alpine
Isack Hadjar – Red Bull
Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi
Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls

What to expect in the race

With Mercedes locking out the front row and Verstappen starting outside the top ten, the race dynamics at Suzuka could be dramatically different from previous seasons.

Antonelli will aim to convert pole into back-to-back wins, while Russell looks to challenge his teammate for victory.

Behind them, McLaren and Ferrari are well positioned to capitalise on any mistakes, and Verstappen will need an aggressive strategy to fight back through the field.