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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Formula 1: Antonelli, Russell 1-2 on the pole for Japanese GP

Formula 1: Antonelli, Russell 1-2 on the pole for Japanese GP

Published Mar 28, 2026 03:38 pm

At A Glance

  • SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli took the pole for Sunday's Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, just two weeks after he led qualifying and won the first race of his career in China.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy, center, Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain, left, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia pose after the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy, center, Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain, left, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia pose after the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli took the pole for Sunday’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, just two weeks after he led qualifying and won the first race of his career in China.
Antonelli's top qualifying time Saturday was 1 minute, 28.778 seconds on the 5.8-kilometer Suzuka circuit.
Teammate George Russell will start alongside him. Russell won in Australia in the first race of the season and also took the pole, the start of Mercedes' early dominance in 2026.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who has yet to start a race this season, will start alongside Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in the second row, and Lando Norris of McLaren starts on row three next to Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari..
Two weeks ago in China, neither McLaren car took part in the race because of electrical problems. And in Australia, Piastri sat out after crashing his car before the race even started.
Four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull will start 11th after struggling and complaining on his radio about his car.
“I think there is something wrong with the car, mate. It was completely undrivable,” he said.
Saturday’s qualifying was run on a sunny spring day with the same predicted for Sunday.

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