The Japanese Grand Prix is a favourite for many drivers and fans and so it was obvious that there was a lot of hype and expectations around this iconic circuit.
The race started ten minutes late, due to an incident in the Porsche Cup ahead of the race start. The barriers had to be rebuilt and so the five lights had to wait to go out. This time around all 22 drivers started from the grid – a first this season.
The two Mercedes struggled once again at the start, Kimi Antonelli basically standing for a good three seconds longer than everyone else (which for Formula 1 is a lifetime even if it sounds like nothing). He recovered quickly though and ended up gaining back his spot at the front of the pack eventually. A safety car ruined his team mates’s, George Russell, race, as he had just come into the pits before hand and lost out on the chance for a risk free pit stop.
Charles Leclerc was truly fighting his Ferrari but still somehow managed to make it to P3 in the end. P2 went to Oscar Piastri, who finally saw the chequered flag in 2026. This was very promising for the papaya team from Surrey as their season so far had seemed incredibly bleak, despite being reigning world champions. The data they will have been able to extract from this race will be crucial for the coming races in a months time (due to the cancellation of two races in April).
In other good news Ollie Bearman, who had terrible shunt during the race, has been checked out by the medical team on the track and at a local hospital and has been given the all clear. This increased focus on his health status came after he was seen limping as he climbed out of the car and being helped by Marshalls on track due to him not being able to support his full weight. The young British driver has taken to social media to update the fans and reassure them that he is alright and will be resting and regrouping before the next race in Miami.
