Japanese GP pole sitter Antonelli eyes championship upset at Suzuka
The Japanese Grand Prix could shake up the drivers' championship this weekend. Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts from pole position, with George Russell—currently leading the standings by four points—right behind in second. A win for Antonelli, combined with strong performances from Ferrari, might hand the championship lead to an Italian driver for the first time this season.
After the race, Formula 1 will enter an extended April break due to ongoing global conflicts, pausing the season until further notice.
Antonelli secured pole position at Suzuka, where fresh asphalt has transformed the track's behaviour. The entire 5.807 km circuit was resurfaced in stages—first in Turn 1 and the S-curves last year, then the final two sectors ahead of 2026. The new bitumen-rich surface, along with two Straight-Mode zones, has drastically reduced tire wear.
Pirelli now expects a one-stop strategy for most drivers, as the smooth asphalt causes almost no degradation or graining. This shift means teams will focus less on tire management and more on outright pace. George Russell, the championship leader, lines up second on the grid. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc follow in third and fourth. Meanwhile, Nico Hülkenberg missed out on the top ten and will start 11th. If Antonelli wins, and Ferrari's drivers gain support from Mercedes, an Italian could take the championship lead for the first time this season. The outcome hinges on race-day performance and team strategies under the new track conditions.
The Suzuka race will decide whether Antonelli or Russell leaves Japan as the championship leader. After the event, Formula 1 will pause for an extended break, delaying the next round until after April. The results here could set the tone for the rest of the season.
