Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to overhaul Russell in race for title | EUROtoday

If Antonelli had been to win at the moment, he would overtake Russell and go high of the drivers’ standings after three rounds. Russell by no means seemed to be fairly on Antonelli’s tempo all through qualifying, with a setup change to the rear of his automotive simply earlier than the session proving unsuccessful.

“He [Kimi Antonelli] did a great job again,” Russell stated. “It was a really strange session for us. We were both very fast all weekend. We made some adjustments after FP3, and then at the beginning of qualifying, we were nowhere. So, we need to kind of understand. Very lucky again to be in P2. The last two weekends it has kind of both gone wrong come qualifying, but the race is tomorrow and there is still a lot to play for.”

Piastri, who is definitely but to start out a race to this point this season, will begin on the second row for McLaren.

“Qualifying has been ok this year,” Piastri stated. “Nice to get into the top three. This weekend we have looked good and we have executed well. We clearly do not have the pace or the grip to match Mercedes but we are getting closer.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will begin on the second row of the grid alongside Piastri while the third row might be crammed by defending champion Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad spherical out the highest ten. Max Verstappen’s depressing season continued as he was dumped out in Q2 yesterday. The Dutchman had claimed the final 4 pole positions at Suzuka however will solely begin eleventh at the moment.

With this being the final race for 5 weeks as a result of cancellation of the 2 Middle East races subsequent month, who will style that successful feeling going into this mini break? The race will get beneath approach from Suzuka at 6am GMT.