At the Japanese F1 GP, Charles Leclerc completed the podium with an energetic performance, distancing George Russell's Mercedes, who arrived room, in turn followed by Lando Norris' McLaren, fifth, and from Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari, who finished sixth.
Hamilton's race was regular, but his Ferrari highlighted difficulties especially when braking and on straights, that is, in the sections where The new 2026 FIA regulation requires balance and careful management of hybrid components.
In fact, from this season onwards single-seaters generate less aerodynamic load and therefore less grip, and ERS – the system that recovers energy during braking – is now strategic for managing maneuvers at the limit.
In short: (In Italian only) Drivers can no longer rely on aggressive braking and high grip.
They are needed smooth corner entry, tire temperature control, and precise management of electric power.
At Suzuka, a track with hairpin bends and changes of direction, These characteristics influenced the race.
A track, the Japanese one, which once rewarded aerodynamic load but today instead enhances the drivers' strategies and the engineers' work.
Mercedes is the team that has so far shown itself best able to adapt to these changes.
Kimi Antonelli drove a race in which he was able to manage his competitive skills, especially after the safety car intervention caused by the accident of Oliver Bearman, who was later taken to hospital for checks, moderated the pace.
At the restart, the nineteen-year-old from Bologna not only recovered pole position, but was able to defend it until the end.
The weekend was complicated instead for Red Bull and Audi (formerly Sauber): Max Verstappen finished eighth, far from the performances he had accustomed us to in previous years.
The Austro-German team from Hinwil (ZH) and that have used a power unit developed with Audi, instead has not yet managed to establish itself.
Drivers' standings after Suzuka
- Antonelli (Mercedes) – 52
- Russell (Mercedes) – 47
- Leclerc (Ferrari) – 42
- Hamilton (Ferrari) – 38
- Piastri (McLaren) – 35
- Norris (McLaren) – 30
Builders
- Mercedes - 135
- Ferrari - 90
- McLaren - 46
Next race
The World Championship will take place on the weekend of May 3rd stopover in the USA, on the Miami circuit, which develops around the Hard Rock Stadium.
Long straights, high temperatures and abrasive asphalt: these are the variables of the race that will put to the test tire management and the electrical component of the engines.
For Ferrari, Red Bull, Audi and McLaren the American stage will be decisive for understand if their gap from Mercedes is structural, or if it will be possible to recover during the championship.
For images:
Photo 1: courtesy Mercedes-AMG F1/ Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images
Photo 2: courtesy Mercedes-AMG F1/ Photo by Sam Bloxham/Lat Images
Photo 3: courtesy Mercedes-AMG F1/ Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images
Antonelli wins. Mercedes confirms its position. Ferrari returns to the forefront.
