Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history. The Italian started from pole position but had a poor start, dropping to sixth place. However, he managed a remarkable comeback thanks to the efficiency of Mercedes' hybrid power unit. The key moment came on lap 22 when a safety car allowed Antonelli to take the lead. He led until the end, winning by a margin of 13.7 seconds. After the race, Antonelli stated that it is too early to talk about the championship, but the team is on the right track. He also acknowledged that he needs to work on his starts. He was joined on the podium by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Mercedes continues to dominate the 2026 season. Formula 1 now enters an unusual five-week break, with the next race on May 3 in Miami.
