Kimi Antonelli tasted success for the second race weekend on the bounce as he secured a superb fightback win in Japan, but it wasn’t so rosy for others on the grid – including his Mercedes team mate George Russell. Lawrence Barretto selects his winners and losers from Suzuka…
Winner: Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli had the edge over his more experienced Mercedes team mate George Russell throughout practice, and he managed to carry that into Qualifying to secure back-to-back pole positions.
That hard work went out the window within seconds of the start lights going out as a poor getaway saw him swallowed up by the field as he dropped to P6. Undeterred, the Italian got his head down and fought his way back through to the podium places.
.webp?w=218&resize=218,150&ssl=1 "‘The race went against him’ – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reflects on George Russell’s issues during 2026 Japanese Grand Prix")
.webp?ssl=1&description=F1.com's Lawrence Barretto picks his winners and losers following the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.){kind=link}