Formula 1

McLaren might be reigning World Champions, but they have had a torrid start to the 2026 season which included neither car starting the second Grand Prix due to electrical issues. But when they finally lined up with both cars on the grid in Japan, the papaya team “surprised” themselves with their pace, as they took the fight to Mercedes in style.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes "the race went against" George Russell during the Japanese Grand Prix and has revealed the issues that meant he could only finish fourth.

Kimi Antonelli secured his second successive Grand Prix victory in Suzuka, having taken his maiden win two weeks prior in China.

Ollie Bearman crashed heavily during the Japanese Grand Prix, with the Safety Car having to be deployed.

The Mercedes star was favourite to win from the start, but clever in-play bettors secured a much bigger win.

A stunning win for Kimi Antonelli in Suzuka means the Italian teenager now leads the Drivers’ Championship standings.

During an eventful weekend at Suzuka, Kimi Antonelli picked up a second consecutive victory – which also earned him a historic championship lead.

Toto Wolff has praised Kimi Antonelli’s continued trajectory following the youngster’s second consecutive victory in Japan, though the Mercedes boss also acknowledged that the team need to work on their starts following a “botched” launch for the Italian.

The third round of the 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship gets underway on Sunday with drivers set to race at the Bahrain International Circuit.

A busy three-day event at the 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship reaches its conclusion today as the sim racers ready themselves for Round 3, the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The drivers and teams report back on all the action from at Suzuka for the of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen was limited to P8 in the Japanese Grand Prix following further struggles with his Red Bull car.

Charles Leclerc believes "we got a little unlucky" during the Japanese Grand Prix due to an ill-timed Safety Car, with the Ferrari driver salvaging third place.

McLaren enjoyed their highest scoring round of the season as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished second and fifth respectively in Japan.

George Russell was left to rue a “frustrating” Japanese Grand Prix, with the Briton feeling that his result “probably would have been a race win” had it not been for the Safety Car emerging only one lap after he made a pit stop.

Kimi Antonelli claimed his second consecutive win for Mercedes after dropping to sixth on the opening lap in Japan.

Oscar Piastri maximised his first Grand Prix start of the season, the McLaren driver finishing P2 in Japan.

Kimi Antonelli believes it is "still early days to think about the championship" despite taking victory in the Japanese Grand Prix and becoming the youngest driver to lead the championship in Formula 1 history.

His first Grand Prix start of the season and Oscar Piastri totally nailed it, launching his McLaren from its P3 grid slot into the lead at Turn 1.

Kimi Antonelli has sealed victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, the Italian becoming the youngest-ever championship leader after putting in a commanding drive to claim his second consecutive win from Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc following an earlier Safety Car.