Andrea Kimi Antonelli scored his second consecutive win thanks in part to a fortunately-timed Safety Car.
The Mercedes driver started the race from pole position but fell to sixth place on the first lap as he got off the line slowly. Oscar Piastri shot into the lead from third place.
The McLaren driver, who failed to start either of the preceding grands prix, put the reigning world champions in the lead of a race for the first time this year. George Russell, who started on the front row but dropped to fourth at the start, easily picked off Lando Norris and Leclerc then closed on Piastri.
Russell wasn’t able to make a pass stick on the race leader, however. He ‘yo-yoed’ ahead of Piastri at the end of lap eight but immediately lost the place as the next lap began.
Antonelli also gained ground in the other Mercedes. He shot past Lewis Hamilton on lap two, got Norris two laps later, then also indulged in a yo-yo position swap with Leclerc.
McLaren discussed the possibility of an early pit stop with Piastri, then brought fifth-placed Norris in first on lap 17. Ferrari followed suit with Leclerc the next time by, then McLaren summoned the race leader in.
Piastri quickly picked off Max Verstappen after he rejoined the track. Russell, who had warned Mercedes of the risks of running too long, entered the pit lane three laps after Piastri did, handing the lead to Antonelli.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Soon after Russell rejoined the track behind Piastri, the yellow flags appeared. Oliver Bearman had crashed heavily at Spoon curve trying to pass Franco Colapinto, prompting an appearance by the Safety Car.
This was disastrous timing for those who had already pitted and a gift for those who hadn’t, led by Antonelli. He pitted, followed by second-placed Hamilton, and rejoined in the lead. “Unbelievable,” fumed Russell.
The restart played out similarly to the one in Shanghai two weeks ago. While Antonelli made good his escape, Russell lost out to both the Ferrari drivers. A snap of oversteer out of the chicane allowed Hamilton to pounce, and Leclerc passed him when Russell appeared to suffer a drop in power approaching Spoon.
While Antonelli easily pulled away from Piastri, Russell laboured to regain his lost places. Hamilton began to struggle for pace and dropped behind first Leclerc, then Russell. But Russell’s attempts to pass Leclerc were frustrated – he briefly got ahead but immediately dropped behind.
In his mirrors, Norris and Hamilton also had a “yo-yo” swap of positions. The McLaren driver accused his rival of staying ahead by going off at the chicane – the stewards took no action – but Norris found a way by on the penultimate lap.
Antonelli stretched his lead out to 13 second by the time he took the chequered flag ahead of Piastri. Leclerc fended off Russell for the final podium place, while Norris took fifth ahead of Hamilton.
Pierre Gasly spent the end of the race fending off Verstappen, both having pitted under the Safety Car. Liam Lawson collected more points for Racing Bulls while Esteban Ocon brought the remaining Haas home in 10th for the final point.
Lance Stroll was the only driver besides Bearman to retire. But his team mate Fernando Alonso brought some relief to Aston Martin by reaching the finish at the home race for power unit supplier Honda, one lap down.
Antonelli’s win gives him a nine-point lead in the drivers’ championship over Russell and makes him the youngest person ever to lead the standings.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2026 Japanese Grand Prix
- ‘Good show, good for everyone’: Ferrari and Mercedes bosses praise Japanese GP
- Verstappen says he could walk away from F1 at end of 2026 over new rules
- 2026 Japanese Grand Prix interactive data: lap charts, times and tyres
- Bearman says Colapinto didn’t leave him enough space to avoid crash
- FIA must address dangerous closing speeds for next race after Bearman’s crash – Sainz