Japanese GP Qualifying: Kimi Antonelli beats George Russell to Suzuka pole as Max Verstappen struggles to Q2 exit

Kimi Antonelli pounced on qualifying struggles for Mercedes team-mate George Russell to claim his second successive pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Carrying the momentum of his maiden grand prix pole and race win from China a fortnight ago, Antonelli had outpaced Russell in the final two practice sessions at Suzuka and carried that impressive form into qualifying.

Russell, meanwhile, reported repeated issues with his car's rear grip and trailed Antonelli by unusually large margins in Q1 and Q2. Although he closed some of the gap in Q3, Antonelli's superb time of 1:28.778 on his first attempt of the decisive shootout still proved a comfortable 0.298s quicker than his title-leading team-mate could muster on his final run.

"What a lap! Three tenths on his team-mate George Russell - very, very impressive," said Sky Sports F1's Jenson Button.

"I feel we have seen a different Kimi this weekend. He's always been extremely quick but the consistency is there."

The Mercedes drivers had been unexpectedly challenged by McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the first two stages of qualifying before the Silver Arrows pulled clear into an exclusive duel for pole when it mattered.

Piastri, though, still continued a positive weekend for him to beat Leclerc to third, with the latter fourth after an error at Spoon curve in the middle sector of what appeared to be a more promising final attempt.

World champion Lando Norris, whose weekend has been compromised by unreliability in practice, was fifth in the other McLaren with Lewis Hamilton sixth in the second Ferrari having trailed Leclerc all weekend.

There was fresh 2026 disappointment for Max Verstappen, who labelled his Red Bull "undrivable" after dropping out in Q2.

On pole at Suzuka over the previous four years, Verstappen will start this year's race from 11th - three places lower than team-mate Isack Hadjar, who made Q3 and took eighth - with the Dutchman struggling with the RB22's balance and handling.

Pierre Gasly beat both Red Bulls again to take another impressive seventh for the Mercedes-powered Alpine, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto in ninth and British rookie Arvid Lindblad in 10th after the Racing Bulls driver had been the one to knock Verstappen below the cut line in Q2.

But fellow Briton Oliver Bearman, one of the season's early star performers, dropped out in Q1 here to qualify 18th for Haas.

More to follow…

Sunday March 294.30am: Japanese GP build-up - Grand Prix Sunday*6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*8am: Japanese GP reaction - Chequered Flag*9am: Ted's Notebook*

*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is at the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime