F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights: Kimi Antonelli Grabs Pole in Suzuka Ahead of George Russell as Max Verstappen Ends Session in Q2
✍️ Written by: Uzma Fatima
Mercedes head into Suzuka qualifying as clear favourites after dominating practice, with Antonelli leading Russell in FP3. Follow all the live updates, highlights, key moments, and the fight for pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix LIVE here.
Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: The Qualifying at Suzuka is finally underway, and Mercedes arrive as clear favourites. After back-to-back one-two finishes in Australia and China, they’ve carried that momentum into Japan, topping the practice sessions. And they did it again. Mercedes locked the front row for the third time straight in the season with Kimi Antonelli securind Pole ahead of George Russell. It was a nightmare for Red Bull as Max Verstappen was eliminated in Q2, ending his four-pole streak at Suzuka.
In FP3, Kimi Antonelli continued his brilliance from Shanghai, setting the fastest lap in 1:29.362, over two tenths quicker than teammate George Russell who was second fastest. This weekend is special for fans, as it’s the final race before a five-week break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. So let’s make the most of the Japanese Grand Prix 2026 and follow all the highlights from the qualifying right here.
Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights:
Live Updates
- 13:53 (IST) 28 Mar 2026
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: Thankyou!
Thankyou for joining us. That’s all from our end for today. Come back tomorrow again for the live coverage of the Japanese Grand Prix 2026 on Sunday, where one might see Kimi Antonelli clinch his second win of career. Here’s the wonder kid, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver who will start from pole tomorrow! See you, Kimi!
Kimi Anotenlli secures pole at the Japanese Grand Prix 2026 | X - 13:14 (IST) 28 Mar 2026
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: Full Result
Pos Driver Team Gap to Pole 1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:28.778 2 George Russell Mercedes +0.298 3 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.354 4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.627 5 Lando Norris McLaren +0.631 6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.789 7 Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.913 8 Isack Hadjar Red Bull +1.200 9 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi +1.496 10 Arvid Lindblad RB +1.541 11 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:30.262 12 Esteban Ocon Haas 1:30.309 13 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:30.387 14 Liam Lawson RB 1:30.495 15 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:30.627 16 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:31.033 17 Alexander Albon Williams — 18 Oliver Bearman Haas — 19 Sergio Perez Sauber — 20 Valtteri Bottas Sauber — 21 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin — 22 Lance Stroll Aston Martin — - 12:39 (IST) 28 Mar 2026
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: Top 10
- Antonelli
- Russell
- Piastri
- Norris
- Leclerc
- Hamilton
- Hadjar
- Gasly
- Bortoleto
- Lindblad
- 12:31 (IST) 28 Mar 2026
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: Kimi You Beautyy!!!
The 19-year-old young Italian secured the pole in Suzuka, almost three tenths ahead of George Russell. His second consecutive pole, still the youngest to do so. He is the driver who replaced the seven-time world champion in Mercedes and Toto Wolff never regretted his decision.
ANTONELLI TAKES POLE AT SUZUKA!!
That’s back-to-back poles for Kimi 💪#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/JpuJTI37yZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 28, 2026
- 12:28 (IST) 28 Mar 2026
F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying LIVE Updates: How Important Pole is at Suzuka?
For the question just know since 1991, only three times has a driver won at Suzuka without starting from the front row.
