Bbc Sport F1: Antonelli on pole at Suzuka as Verstappen knocked out in Q2
sport f1: Kimi Antonelli took pole for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, beating Mercedes team-mate George Russell by 0. 298 seconds. Antonelli was fastest throughout qualifying and carried that pace into the final runs, with Oscar Piastri third and Charles Leclerc fourth. Max Verstappen was eliminated in Q2 and will start 11th, reshaping the front of the grid for the race at Suzuka.
Sport F1: Qualifying snapshot
Antonelli set the pace in every phase of qualifying, his first lap in the final session 0. 298 seconds quicker than Russell’s. He looked set to improve on his final run but locked up into the hairpin and lost time, yet remained clear enough for pole. Russell did not improve on his last attempt but held onto second place, with Piastri securing third and Leclerc P4. Verstappen’s exit in Q2 leaves him down the order and hands rivals a tactical opportunity on race day.
Practice form and driver reactions
Friday running at Suzuka suggested a tight fight: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topped practice, ending the day 0. 092 seconds ahead of Kimi Antonelli, with George Russell third, 0. 205 seconds off Piastri’s pace. George Russell, Mercedes driver, said “McLaren were pretty fast, ” adding there was still work to do on energy management and optimisation. Max Verstappen, Red Bull driver, described stronger concerns about balance and grip after practice and qualifying, noting specific struggles in medium to high-speed sectors. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver, spoke of frustration around qualifying compromises and battery recharging, saying the current limits make it difficult to push without being penalised in the straights.
Immediate implications and context
The weekend so far presents a contrast between Mercedes’ one-two in qualifying pace and McLaren’s practice speed. Antonelli’s consecutive poles underline a surge in qualifying form, while McLaren’s Piastri has shown single-lap and race-run potential across sessions. Ferrari’s Leclerc highlighted engineering compromises that are affecting qualifying confidence, and Verstappen’s mid-session exit underscores Red Bull’s setup challenges at Suzuka.
What’s next — race focus and outlook
Teams will spend the night analysing energy management, balance and straight-line performance as they prepare for the race. Attention will centre on whether Piastri can convert his practice speed into a strong start and whether Mercedes can translate qualifying advantage into race control. With Verstappen starting 11th, strategic variability is likely to increase on race day; pit strategy and battery harvesting will be decisive factors. Expect tight margins and strategic calls to shape the podium fight as crews make final setup choices and race plans at Suzuka, and follow evolving updates on grid and race build-up through the remainder of the weekend for the latest from sport f1.
