F1: Read the latest of Formula 1 reports, news, opinions, and more by Pit Debrief.
Lewis Hamilton delivered a composed but ultimately unspectacular qualifying performance at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP. He progressed cleanly through the sessions and remained firmly in the top six, yet lacked the outright pace to challenge at the front. While others found time in the final shoot out, Hamilton could not match the leading contenders…
Charles Leclerc qualified P4 for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP after a snap of oversteer on his final Q3 lap prevented a stronger grid position at Suzuka. The Ferrari driver finished with a 1:29.405, placing him behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri. Leclerc’s Japanese GP qualifying performance highlighted ongoing struggles with system…
George Russell secured a front-row start for the F1 Japanese GP despite a difficult and unusual qualifying session, as Mercedes continued to show strong pace at Suzuka. While teammate Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position, Russell admitted that his own session felt far from straightforward, with balance issues emerging at the start of qualifying. “The car…
Fresh off his maiden win in Shanghai, Mercedes F1’s Kimi Antonelli carried his momentum into Qualifying at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, claiming his second pole position of his career and season.The 19 year-old, who secured his first Grand Prix pole in Shanghai, appeared to be quick finding his rhythm and pace around the high-speed…
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen endured a difficult day at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, qualifying 11th after a difficult session. Earlier in FP3, the four-time World Champion had voiced frustration over the handling of the RB22, as he struggled to get to grips with it. Unfortunately for Verstappen, those issues persisted in Qualifying, where…
Oscar Piastri delivered a strong performance in qualifying for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, securing third place on the grid after a session that saw momentum swing between teams and drivers. While Kimi Antonelli ultimately took pole position ahead of teammate George Russell, Piastri emerged as McLaren’s lead contender, capitalising on a clean execution through…
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…
Qualifying for round 3 of the 2026 F1 season at the Japanese GP has been completed, view the full report here. Three different drivers led in practice: George Russell in FP1, Oscar Piastri in FP2, and Kimi Antonelli in FP3. Mercedes had a scary gap of 0.8s to the field in the final one. Ferrari…
Kimi Antonelli led the final practice session of the weekend at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, with George Russell and Charles Leclerc rounding out the top three at FP3. Formula 1 headed into the final practice session at Suzuka, with teams preparing for one last hour of running ahead of qualifying for the 2026 Japanese…
FP3 at the 2026 F1 Japanese GP is in the books, view the full report here. On Friday, George Russell was fastest in FP1, with Oscar Piastri quickest in FP2. After gremlins early doors in FP2, Lando Norris’s difficult run continued. Ahead of FP3, McLaren said: “The team have identified an issue with the ERS…
