Japanese Grand Prix 2026 — Weekend Preview

Round 3 of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Suzuka, Japan. Japanese Grand Prix — The Driver's Circuit. Kimi Antonelli leads the championship with 43 points.

Driver Championship (entering R3):
P1: Kimi Antonelli — 43 pts (1W, 2P)
P2: George Russell — 43 pts (1W, 2P)
P3: Charles Leclerc — 27 pts (0W, 1P)
P4: Lewis Hamilton — 27 pts (0W, 1P)
P5: Oliver Bearman — 16 pts (0W, 0P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: Mercedes — 86 pts
P2: Ferrari — 54 pts
P3: Haas F1 Team — 16 pts
P4: Red Bull Racing — 12 pts
P5: Racing Bulls — 10 pts

Suzuka is technically demanding, steeped in motorsport history.

Recent winners at Suzuka:
- 2026: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2025: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2024: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Tyre strategy data will be available after practice sessions provide degradation information.

Battles to watch:

Championship battle: Kimi Antonelli vs George Russell — 0 points separate them.

P3 vs P4: Charles Leclerc (27) vs Lewis Hamilton (27) — just 0 points apart.
P4 vs P5: Lewis Hamilton (27) vs Oliver Bearman (16) — just 11 points apart.
P5 vs P6: Oliver Bearman (16) vs Lando Norris (10) — just 6 points apart.

Understand this race better:

- [Aero Balance](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/aero-balance)
- [Downforce](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/downforce)