Suzuka: Kimi Antonelli delivered a sensational performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, securing his second consecutive victory and making history as the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula One world championship standings.
The 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli capitalised on a mid-race safety car at Suzuka Circuit, recovering brilliantly from a poor start to take control of the race and clinch victory dominantly. Antonelli, who had started on pole for the second successive race, dropped to sixth at the first corner after a sluggish launch.
Early leader Oscar Piastri set the pace ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton all surged past the young Italian. The race turned dramatically when a crash involving Ollie Bearman triggered a safety car. Antonelli made a perfectly timed pit stop, emerging at the front of the pack, a decisive moment that ultimately secured him the win.
From there, Antonelli controlled the race with composure beyond his years, pulling clear to take the chequered flag. Piastri finished second, denying Mercedes a one-two finish, while Leclerc completed the podium.
Russell, who entered the race as championship leader, slipped to fourth after pitting just before the safety car. Norris came home fifth, followed by Hamilton in sixth and Pierre Gasly in seventh. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen endured a difficult outing, finishing eighth after starting 11th, ending his dominant run at Suzuka.
Antonelli’s latest triumph builds on his maiden Grand Prix victory in China two weeks ago and puts him firmly at the top of the standings after three races in the season. Formula One now heads into an extended break, with the next race scheduled at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races due to regional tensions.
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