Antonelli takes the lead in the Formula 1 World Championship for the first time and makes history as the youngest driver to lead the championship
The Japanese GP, held in the early hours of this Sunday, consolidated Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s good moment. The Mercedes driver secured his second consecutive victory in the category by taking advantage of a safety car at the decisive moment of the race. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc completed the podium and Gabriel Bortoleto finished in 13th place.
With the result, Antonelli assumes the leadership of the Formula 1 World Championship for the first time and enters history as the youngest driver to lead the championship, at 18 years, seven months and 12 days. The Italian surpasses a brand that belonged to Lewis Hamilton since 2007.
How was the Formula 1 Japanese GP
The race started with a turnaround right at the start. Despite leaving on pole, Antonelli was overtaken by Piastri before the first corner and fell to the middle of the pack, reaching sixth position. The McLaren Australian took the lead, followed by Leclerc and Lando Norris, as the Mercedes tried to react after losing positions.
In the opening laps, Piastri maintained the lead in the face of pressure from his rivals, while George Russell advanced through the field and momentarily took the lead, before being overtaken again by the McLaren driver. Antonelli, in turn, began a recovery race, competing for positions in the intermediate group and approaching the leaders.
The decisive moment of the race came on lap 22, with Oliver Bearman’s accident. The Haas driver lost control while trying to avoid a sudden deceleration in front of him, left the track and hit the protective barrier hard. Despite the impact, estimated at 51G, the Brit left the car conscious and was taken to the medical center, with no fractures.
The introduction of the safety car changed the course of the race. Some of the leaders had already made their stops, while others, like Antonelli, took advantage of the neutralization period to head to the pits. The strategy put the Italian back in the lead, while Russell, who stopped just before the yellow flag, lost important positions.
At the restart, Antonelli managed to manage Piastri’s pressure and maintained control of the race until the flag. Leclerc completed the podium in third, consolidating a consistent weekend for Ferrari.
Further back, the race was also marked by intense disputes in the middle field and rhythm difficulties for some drivers. Bortoleto had a regular performance and crossed the finish line in 13th, outside the scoring zone.
With the victory, Antonelli opens up a lead in the championship over his teammate, George Russell, reversing the disadvantage he had before the Japanese stage.
Formula 1 enters a break in the calendar. The next race will be the Miami GP, on May 3rd, at the Autódromo Internacional de Miami circuit, in the United States.
Final result of the Formula 1 Japanese GP
1 – Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes), 53 times
2 – Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren), at 13s722
3 – Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari), a 15s270
4 – George Russell (ING/Mercedes), a 15s754
5 – Lando Norris (ING/McLaren), a 23s479
6 – Lewis Hamilton (ING/Ferrari), a 25s037
7 – Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine), a 32s340
8 – Max Verstappen (HOL/Red Bull), a 32s677
9 – Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls), a 50s180
10 – Stephen Ocon (FRA/Haas), 51s216
11 – Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Audi), and 52s280
12 – Isack Hadjar (FRA/Red Bull), a 56s154
13 – Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Audi), at 59s078
14 – Arvid Lindblad (ING/Racing Bulls), a 59s848
15 – Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP/Williams), a 1min05s007
16 – Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine), at 1min05s773
17 – Sergio Pérez (MEX/Cadillac), a 1min32s453
18 – Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin), 1 lap away
19 – Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Cadillac), 1 time
20 – Alexander Albon (TAI/Williams), at 2 voltas
Not complete: Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) and Oliver Bearman (ING/Haas).
