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Full starting grid for the 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix
Kimi Antonelli leads a Mercedes front-row lockout for the 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, as Max Verstappen suffers a shock Q2 exit.
Antonelli storms to Suzuka pole
Kimi Antonelli will start from pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix after delivering a commanding performance in qualifying at Suzuka.
The Mercedes driver outpaced team-mate George Russell by 0.298 seconds, underlining the strength of the Silver Arrows package on Saturday. Mercedes emerged as the clear benchmark, successfully fending off competition from both Ferrari and McLaren in the fight for the front rows.
Russell’s lap secures a front-row lockout for Mercedes, placing the team in a formidable position heading into Sunday’s race.
Ferrari and McLaren fill the second and third rows
Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc will line up on the second row, representing McLaren and Ferrari respectively. Both teams showed enough pace to remain in close contention, but neither could match Mercedes’ outright speed in the decisive moments of qualifying.
The third row features two world champions: Lando Norris in fifth and Lewis Hamilton in sixth, adding further intrigue to the strategic picture just behind the leading quartet.
Verstappen eliminated in Q2
One of the biggest shocks of the session came in Q2, where Max Verstappen suffered an early exit. The Red Bull driver, who had secured four consecutive pole positions at Suzuka prior to this weekend, was unable to extract the necessary pace from his car.
After struggling throughout the session, Verstappen will start 11th on the grid, marking a dramatic end to his dominant qualifying run at the Japanese circuit.
Note: The starting grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.
Below is the full provisional starting order for the 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 2nd | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 3rd | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4th | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5th | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 6th | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 7th | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 8th | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull |
| 9th | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi |
| 10th | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls |
| 11th | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 12th | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 13th | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi |
| 14th | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 15th | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 16th | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 17th | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 18th | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 19th | Sergio Perez | Cadillac |
| 20th | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac |
| 21st | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 22nd | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |