Mercedes once again proved why they are the team to beat in 2026, with Kimi Antonelli leading a team 1-2 for the final Free Practice session at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
The teenage Italian set a blistering 01:29.362 in the final session before qualifying. Closely behind Antonelli was championship leader George Russell. The Briton was a mere two-tenths behind his team-mate as he endeavours to extend his championship lead.
Rounding out the top three was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who set a 01:30.229, eight tenths shy of Antonelli’s pace out front.
View the full classification below!
PositionDriverTeamLap TimeGap1.Kimi AntonelliMercedes01:29.362 2.George RussellMercedes+0.2543.Charles LeclercFerrari+0.8674.Oscar PiastriMcLaren+1.0025.Lewis Hamilton Ferrari+1.0216.Lando NorrisMcLaren+1.2387.Nico HulkenbergAudi+1.2968.Max VerstappenRed Bull+1.5489.Gabriel BortoletoAudi+1.63810.Pierre GaslyAlpine+1.72011.Isack HadjarRed Bull+1.73212.Liam LawsonRacing Bulls+1.73513.Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls+1.92614.Esteban OconHaas+1.96415.Ollie BearmanHaas+2.19616.Alex AlbonWilliams+2.37117.Franco Colapinto Alpine+2.39718.Carlos SainzWilliams+2.46719.Valtteri BottasCadillac+3.14120.Sergio PerezCadillac+3.17821.Lance StrollAston Martin+4.12322.Fernando AlonsoAston Martin+4.167