2026 F1 Japanese GP | Qualifying results

Ewout Albrecht02 mins
Andrea Kimi Antonell of Mercedes secures pole position for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP
Photo Credit: Mercedes F1 Team | X
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After Mercedes restored order during FP3 for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, qualifying saw a battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the top spot. A shock exit for Max Verstappen in Q2 meant last year’s pole sitter would not be able to defend the pole.

At the end of the day Mercedes was unbeatable, and it was Andrea Kimi Antonelli grabbing his second pole position in succession.

Q1

First part of qualifying saw a battle between Leclerc and both Mercedes drivers for the top spot, whereas the bottom six were occupied by the usual suspects: Williams, Cadillac and Aston Martin. When the flag drops, Carlos Sainz eventually manages to escape Q1 at the cost of Ollie Bearman.

Eliminated form Q1:

  1. Alex Albon
  2. Ollie Bearman
  3. Sergio Pérez
  4. Valtteri Bottas
  5. Fernando Alonso
  6. Lance Stroll

Q2

The intial battle in Q2 was again between Antonelli and Leclerc. However Oscar Piasri rose to the top on new tyres after the first run. At the back it is a shock exit for Max Verstappen who falls to both his team mate and rookie Arvid Lindblad.

Eliminated from Q2:

  1. Max Verstappen
  2. Esteban Ocon
  3. Nico Hülkenberg
  4. Liam Lawson
  5. Franco Colapinto
  6. Carlos Sainz

Q3

After the first runs in Q3, it was Antonelli ahead of Russell. Both Ferrari’s were suddenly in fifth and sixth, behind both McLaren drivers. In the second run, only Leclerc and Gasly managed to improve their times, meaning Antonelli secured pole again.

Q3 results:

  1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli
  2. George Russell
  3. Oscar Piastri
  4. Charles Leclerc
  5. Lando Norris
  6. Lewis Hamilton
  7. Pierre Gasly
  8. Isack Hadjar
  9. Gabriel Bortoleto
  10. Arvid Lindblad

2026 F1 Japanese GP | Qualifying results

  1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 1:28.788
  2. George Russell – 1:29.076
  3. Oscar Piastri – 1:29.132
  4. Charles Leclerc – 1:29.405
  5. Lando Norris – 1:29.409
  6. Lewis Hamilton 1:29.567
  7. Pierre Gasly – 1:29.691
  8. Isack Hadjar – 1:29.978
  9. Gabriel Bortoleto – 1:30.274
  10. Arvid Lindblad – 1:30.319
  11. Max Verstappen – 1:30.262
  12. Esteban Ocon – 1:30.309
  13. Nico Hülkenberg – 1:30.387
  14. Liam Lawson – 1:30.495
  15. Franco Colapinto – 1:30.627
  16. Carlos Sainz – 1:31.033
  17. Alex Albon – 1:31:088
  18. Ollie Bearman – 1:31.090
  19. Sergio Pérez – 1:32.206
  20. Valtteri Bottas – 1:32.330
  21. Fernando Alonso – 1:33.485
  22. Lance Stroll – 1:32.920

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